Robert Van Wieren
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Aug 1960 - Aug 1962Society Membership
MemberObituary
Robert Dale "Bob" Van Wieren, 75, entered into eternal rest on October 1, 2013. He was born in 1938, in Holland, Michigan, to Adrianna and John Van Wieren. Following graduation from Holland High School, Bob served in the United States Army. He was very proud to serve as a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery. He received several accolades while serving at the Tomb, including; longest-serving Tomb Guard, first to be married and become a father at the Tomb, and featured on a national "We Want You" poster for the Army and in the national news show "The Huntley-Brinkley Report". After his service, he returned to Holland with his wife to work and raise his family. His family was very important to him. He loved spending time with all of them and attended many of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and school programs. He was very proud of them. He was always willing to go out of his way to help everyone whenever they needed it. He also loved hunting, fishing and working around the house. He was a skilled craftsman in wood working, restoration of cars, motorcycles, and most recently, his vintage Chris Craft boat. He is survived by his wife Merry; children Tod Van Wieren (Janet) of Grand Ledge, Michigan, Vicky Jackson (Mark) of Holland, Tim Van Wieren (Christina) of Zeeland, Michigan, Mark Van Wieren (Peg) of West Olive, Michigan, Ben Van Wieren of Holland, and Jon Van Wieren of Holland; and many loving grandchildren, family, and friends. Graveside services with military honors will be held on October 7, 2013 at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland, Michigan.Memories & Condolences
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Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 700 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 eight female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned her badge in 1997SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
SGT Kamille Torres earned her badge in 2022
SPC Jessica Kwiatkowski earned her badge in 2023
SGT Kaylee Johnston earned her badge in 2024
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.
