2022-23 Board of Directors
4 years ago
Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on the most recent Board of Directors ballot. This year there was a significant increase in members who stepped up and put their name in the hat for the nine open positions.
Lonny LeGrand Jr., President
1981-1983
Scott Sengenberger, Vice President
2000-2002
Larry Seaton, Treasurer
1970-1971
Ruth Robinson, Secretary
2015-2017
Gavin McIlvenna, Past President
1997-1998
Jamie Goebel, Director/Quartermaster
1997-1999
Andrew Thomas, Director
1990-1991
Jeffery Stitzel, Director
1988-1990
Paul Basso, Director
2000-2004, 2015-2017
Carnell Nettles, Director
1983-1984
SFC Jason Hickman, 39th Sergeant of the Guard
2012-2016, 2021-Present
Did you know?
The officers of The Society shall be the Immediate Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall comprise the Executive Council (ExC) of the Board of Directors (BoD).
The ExC shall exercise day-to-day management of the Society between meetings of the BoD or membership. It shall meet at each Biennial Meeting and be chaired by the President.
Members of the ExC will not be required to chair a standing or special committee but may volunteer to chair or serve on a standing or special committee pending the approval of the President.
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Posted October 14, 2025The Ship in the Desert Larry Seaton, SHGTUS Historian 14th Tomb Guard Reunion We are all familiar with the connection between the USS Olympia and the WWI Unknown Soldier. The Unknown Soldier’s...
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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?
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.
