Commemorative Committee Update
3 years ago
As 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 will be looking for support from the membership to represent the Society at key functions in the coming months. If you are available to assist the Society, please contact the POCs for each event below:
- October 24 @ Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, France
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org and Bryan Schell bcschell@gmail.com
- October 24 @ Châlons-en-Champagne, France
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org and Bryan Schell bcschell@gmail.com
- October 25 @ Le Havre, France
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org and Bryan Schell bcschell@gmail.com
- October 25 @ Independence Seaport Museum aboard the USS Olympia
POC: Lonny LeGrand, Jr. president249@tombguard.org
- November 9 @ Navy Yard, Washington DC
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org
- November 11 @ Tomb Guard Platoon
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org
- November 17 @ Tomb Guard Platoon
POC: Gavin McIlvenna founder@tombguard.org
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the American Gold Star Mothers Inc, and the Gold Star Peak and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each, guiding how we will work together in our common mission to ensure the service and sacrifices of America’s military are honored and never forgotten.
Members of the committee are working with the American Rose Society, Honor Flight Network, and Le Souvenir Francis, USA on similar MOUs. As these are developed and signed, we will announce them on our social media platforms. The committee has been assisting the planners of the Centennial of the Unknown Soldier in Czechoslovakia by providing technical assistance in planning of events and exhibits. The exhibition has been extended from six months to three years due to the war in Ukraine, and currently they are planning to create coins that will be given to a special guest or be available for purchase. With all that is going on in Europe right now it is encouraging to see the Czechoslovakia Minister of Defense has started planning the whole ceremony and talks with the Colonel of Castle Guard are on-going. With any luck the opening ceremony and the exhibition will be April 1, 2023.
The Never Forget Garden (NFG) project is continuing to grow, with dedications on-going in the United States. The administrative project to consolidate information on every NFG continues, and if you have a NFG or sponsored one, please reach out to nfg@tombguard.org and provide us with information and photos.
Plans are underway for the Centennial of the Tomb Guard (TG100) in 2026. This will be similar to TUS100, but focusing on the individual units that have served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Sentinels that stand the eternal vigil. Chelsea Porterfield (2020-21) has agreed to serve as Chair of the TG100 Committee.
Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98)
Commemorative Committee Chair
founder@tombguard.org
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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.
Learn More
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.
