Membership Committee Update
3 years ago
Members 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 arrived, and my family is gearing up for several camping trips including a Veterans Day trip to the Georgia Veterans State Park.
Our membership has reduced some since the Centennial reunion but remains strong. We still have as many Tomb Guard voting members (309) as we did last November. Additionally, our Sentinel membership of currently serving Tomb Guards remains just as strong. I am confident this will be sustained or even grow as Life Member SFC Brian Gougler (2011-13, 2022-Present) takes over as the Sergeant of the Guard.
I would like to highlight the continuing reunions that occur among our members and other Tomb Guards throughout the year. Founding member, and retired Sergeant Major, Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) has well established the Tomb Guard Cocktail Hour that occurs virtually monthly throughout the year. If you have not yet participated, you should email him for an invite. They are great for both educating on current Society activities, as well as catching up with the busy lives of our fellow Tomb Guards. They are open to both members and non-members who share our connection. Everyone I have attended has been time well spent, whether for fellowship or education. Additionally, there are more than a couple local in person “mini reunions' ' that occur throughout the country. Herb Smith (1966-69) generally sets one up in Georgia on an annual basis.
I am sure there are other “mini” reunions that occur throughout the year and country. I would love for those who meet based upon our fellowship to please share photographs and details of the meeting with the Society. Please email photographs and details of the meeting to membership@tombguard.org.
Respectfully Yours,
Scott J. Sengenberger
Vice President
Membership Committee Chair
membership@tombguard.org
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Did you know?
Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?
Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different. It was flat at ground level without the 70 ton marble 'cap'. People often came to the cemetery in those days and a few actually used the Tomb as a picnic area, likely because of the view. Soon after in 1925, they posted a civilian guard. In 1926, a US Army soldier was posted during cemetery hours. On July 1, 1937 guard duty was expanded to the 24 hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has evolved throughout the years to what you see today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who are speaking too loudly or attempting to get a better picture (by entering the post).
