October 2020 – Bells of Peace Phone Application
5 months ago

Veterans Day and the National Salute are just around the corner. The United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars (formerly the World War I Centennial Commission) partnered with us in 2017 on the concept of ringing bells during the National Salute, and created the Bells of Peace phone application for the public to use during the National Salute, as well as for any ceremony where bells would be appropriate but unable to have on hand.
The new versions of the Bells of Peace application can be found by visiting their website, and we encourage everybody to use the application during planned community events on Veterans Day this year.
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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).