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Honored Glory
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In Honored Glory, Arlington National Cemetery: The Final Post
Fourth Edition by Philip Bigler
With over 225,000 copies in print.
"Bigler’s writing is an engaging blend of palpable respect for his subject and objectivity… readers will be moved as well as informed." - Small Press Book Review
This definitive history of Arlington National Cemetery is told with the dignity, respect, and pageantry that is due to one of America’s most honored and deeply revered sites. Historian and nationally recognized educator, Philip Bigler has created a classic as he presents Arlington to the reader.
Completely up-to-date with expanded coverage on ceremonial units and events, including the:
- Caisson platoon
- Women in Military Service Memorial
- Identification and disinterment of the Vietnam Unknown
- 9/11 and the war on terrorism
- Columbia
- Other new developments since the publication of the third edition in 1999.
In Honored Glory brings to life the history, happenings, people, and highlights that have combined to make Arlington National Cemetery a uniquely American institution. Other topics covered:
- A thorough history of the development of the cemetery over time
- The origins of Memorial Day
- The construction of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the subsequent history of interments
- A chapter on the Kennedy gravesite
- The current burial requirements
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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.
