Pilgrimage to France
3 years ago
The Pilgrimage to France to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the World War I Unknown was a plan long in the making, but well planned and constructed by many hands indeed. Although it took years to put together, the trip seemed like a blur of a moment now that it's past. Having been on my first ever trip to Paris, France I was immediately taken in by the awe of the historic nature of the country I landed in, the beauty of the City of Paris, the people and the language there.
We came here as many different individuals, but as one alike, Patriots of the country we love, the United States of America. We came as Tomb Guards, past and present, American Gold Star Mothers, Daughters of the American Revolution and individuals who represented the values of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, either as Associate Members or husbands, wives, mothers and fathers.
Once everyone in our party were assembled together, the schedule of events in hand, the journey commenced. The reality of what we were about to do started to sink in. "Historical", a unique word in itself, but that was exactly what we were about to embark on. We would be a very small group of Americans on an historical journey to follow what linked the selection of our World War I Unknown Soldier together, but 100 years to the date later.
From each of the (4) cemeteries would be borne an individual Unknown Soldier that would make up the (4) to be selected from. Our journey would give us the chance to visit those brave individuals that remained behind and honor them all for their sacrifice to our great nation and the liberty of the nation we stood in.
We would carry a special flag with us that would fly at each cemetery during our ceremonial wreath laying and comments, to then be brought home and be retired to the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room for all visitors to see. Being a part of each ceremony either on Flag Detail or as the Wreath Bearer was an honor I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I feel as if I took part in carrying our nation of citizens on my shoulders in the process to allow them to be a part as well.
To finish our journey, and being of French descendants, I had the honor of laying a White Rose at the French Unknown Soldier, a very distinct honor that represents the smallest percentage of people to have ever had that chance, that in itself, was remarkable to say the least.
I consider myself to be a very lucky and humble individual to have been a part of this journey and to have shared it with such a great group of individuals that I will forever call my Tomb Guard Brothers and Sister, friends and especially, fellow Americans
Viva la France, Viva la Liberty..
Lonny LeGrand, Jr (1981-83)
SHGTUS President
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Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 680 tomb guards awarded the badge since 1958 when we started counting. There are hundreds more from the year 1926 when the Army started guarding the Tomb. The 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) is the unit that has been given the duty of guarding the Tomb. It was given this sacred duty in 1948. The Old Guard was -- and still is -- considered a combat unit. As an Infantry unit, females were not permitted in the ranks for many years. It wasn't until 1994 that females were permitted to volunteer to become a Sentinel when the 289th Military Police Company was attached to the Old Guard. The MP branch is a combat support unit and includes females.
In 1996, SGT Heather Johnsen became the first female to earn the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. She volunteered for duty in June 1995 and earned her badge in 1996. However, SGT Johnson was not the only female Sentinel. Since then, there have been a total of five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
Several other units have since been attached to the Old Guard -- food
service, transportation, medics, etc. -- so now females have an ever
greater opportunity to become a Sentinel. Females must meet the same
requirements as the male soldiers to be eligible to volunteer at the
Tomb. the only difference is that females have a minimum height of 5'8"
-- which is the same standard to be a member of the Old Guard.
