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Hillard Jordan Jr
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Jul 1963 - Sep 1964Society Membership
MemberObituary
A home going celebration for Hillard Jordan, Jr. who died November 9, 2019, was held Saturday, Nov. 16 at St. James A.M.E. Church. Rev. Reginald E. Jacobs, Sr., pastor, officiated.
After graduating from high school, Hank joined the United States Army. He was selected to serve with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, as a Tomb Guard in 1963 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. After three years of active military service including an assignment to Southeast Asia, he left the military service and joined his cousins Curtis and Marvin in Pittsburgh, PA. There, Hank met and married Rozalia Harrison in Pittsburgh, PA in 1969 and attended the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill. While married Hank served an additional three years in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Hank made many friends while working for the Edgar Thompson works of U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh. He traveled throughout North America on business, invested in real estate, worked for the U.S. Postal Service and served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a hard-working man and his loved ones in Pittsburgh often joked that if Hank lost a job, he would get two more! While window-washing a skyscraper, in downtown Pittsburgh, his equipment failed plunging him six stories in 1990 and he survived without a limp.
Upon the death of his father, Hank permanently returned to his hometown of Monticello, Ga. He was delighted to revive childhood friendships, live in his childhood home and developed lifelong bonds of affection with many of his siblings. God blessed Hillard with the gift of hospitality, as he loved to cook and entertain company. Hank will be remembered as a devoted son, encouraging father, loyal friend, loving husband, committed brother, a child of God and a man of distinction.
Smith and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)Pennsylvania National Guard
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification BadgeSupport the Society
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Did you know?
How long does the Sentinel hesitate after the facing movement to begin the return walk? Is the rifle carried on the same shoulder all the time?
The Sentinel does not execute an about face, rather they stop on the 21st step, then turn and face the Tomb for 21 seconds. They then turn to face back down the mat, change the weapon to the outside shoulder, mentally count off 21 seconds, then step off for another 21 step walk down the mat. They face the Tomb at each end of the 21 step walk for 21 seconds. The Sentinel then repeats this over and over until the the Guard Change ceremony begins.