Robert H. Sills
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
3rdHighest Military Rank
Private First ClassTomb Dates
Jan 1956 - Dec 1957Obituary
Robert H. "Bob" Sills, 84, formerly of County Route 119 and a resident of Elderwood at Hornell, passed away Saturday morning (Nov. 18, 2017) at St. James Mercy Hospital following a brief illness.
Bob was born December 14, 1932 in Hornell, the son of the late Raymond and Angeline (VanDelinder) Sills.
He was a veteran of the U. S Army, serving our country from 1956-58. As a part of his active duty, he was an Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, for which he was very proud. After his military service, he returned to Canisteo to work on the family farm on County Route 119, and eventually found employment with the Erie/Lackawana Railroad and retired as a conductor for Conrail after 35 years. After retirement he continued to work on the family farm raising a few sheep, planting and harvesting seasonal crops and cutting firewood.
Bob is survived by a brother, two sisters, nieces and nephews and a very close friend.
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Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
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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.
