Survey on Reunion 2021 is in your In-Box
All members: please check your email inbox for a survey on Reunion 2021. This less than 15 question survey will help shape Reunion 2023 (November 3-5) and your comments are important. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you cannot find it at all, reach out to publicaffairs@tombguard.org with the correct email address you want it sent to (you can also send that to Lynn to update your membership information). Also, a reminder: If you "opted out" of receiving...
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Latest News
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Staff Ride on the Little Bighorn
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelHistory, nowadays, is usually experienced by seeing it after the fact, unless a person was lucky enough to be present when the event occurred. The military conducts “staff rides” where a battlefield...
Special Art Honors Crow Nation
Posted October 2, 2022 in Society SpotlightAs the 27th Day of Honor approached the Society wanted to present something special to the members of the Chief Plenty Coup Honor Guard and the Crow Nation to mark their participation in the national...
Commemorative Committee Update
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelAs you can see by the articles surrounding Montana and the Crow Nation, the committee has been very busy over the last quarter. This is just a small portion of what we are working on. The committee...
Public Affairs Committee Update
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelOver the remaining months of 2022 you will see a change in how the newsletter is distributed to our membership. Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) will be stepping down as the Public Affairs Committee Chair...
Society Members visit Montana
Posted October 2, 2022 in Society SpotlightAs the Society approached the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (TUS100), we viewed the Centennial as an opportunity to unite the country around love of country by reuniting America with...
Tomb Guard Assistance Program (TGAP) Update
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelGreetings, the Tomb Guard Assistance Program (TGAP) Co-chairs are seeking local Society members to support the Platoon. As some of you may be aware, earlier this year Carnell Nettles moved to San...
Membership Committee Update
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelMembers and Friends, I hope you have all enjoyed the waning summer months and are looking forward to Fall. We are certainly ready for it here in Perry, Georgia. Cool mornings and evenings have...
From the President
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelHello again Society Members. What a great end to the summer and the run into the fall season. It's been busy to say the least, but the good part of busy has been the events I've been a part of. It...
Education Committee Update
Posted September 17, 2022 in The SentinelBrother and Sister Tomb Guards, Over the next few months, and going into next year, we expect to have an increase in Educational Presentation requests. We are currently working with the Gold Star...
Legacy Members support the Platoon
Posted July 8, 2022 in Special ReportOn June 4th, 2022, members of the Tomb Guard Platoon and their families were invited to the inaugural BBQ hosted by the Society and the legacy family of COL Neale Cosby (1958-60). The Society Vice...
Stonehenge Memorial Never Forget Garden Support
Posted July 2, 2022 in Special ReportOn Memorial Day 2022 former Society President Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) and Bereavement Director Amy McIlvenna visited the Stonehenge Memorial in Goldendale, WA to see how the Never Forget Garden was...
From the President
Posted April 12, 2022 in The SentinelHere we are, 2022, welcome, I hope at the end of it we all have something great to talk about. It seems like only yesterday we were gathered together in Arlington for the largest Reunion to date: let...
Pilgrimage to France
Posted April 12, 2022 in Society SpotlightThe 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...
Silence and Respect
Posted April 12, 2022 in The SentinelTomb Guards and the Public I’d like to do something a little different in this issue and pull back to a larger perspective of peoples’ experience of the Tomb. Normally, the newsletter focuses on...
Support the Society
The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) is able to provide our programs, events, assistance, scholarships, and services due to the generosity of its members, organizations, and individuals. SHGTUS does not receive institutional funding. Note: The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contributions may be fully tax deductible.
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Did you know?
Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
