Public Affairs Committee Update
3 years ago
Over the remaining months of 2022 you will see a change in how the newsletter is distributed to our membership. Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) will be stepping down as the Public Affairs Committee Chair and Newsletter Senior Editor. Daniel Yeadon, Life Associate Member and former Old Guardsman, will be taking over as the Public Affairs Director and will guide our social media footprint starting on January 1, 2023.
For those who do not have email addresses on file with the Society, you will still receive a newsletter in the mail. The content and frequency may change or be reduced.
For all other members you will need to check the “News” section of the main website for updates and information that you would normally see in the newsletter. These may arrive at the end of a quarter, or as the information becomes available.
Our Webmaster is working on a link where you can sign up and receive notices via email when news is published on the website. Until then, visit: Society of the Honor Guard | News (tombguard.org) for the latest news, and of course keep an eye on our FaceBook page: Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | Facebook
Latest News
Dave Rappaport Speech from Reunion 2023
Posted November 6, 2023 in Special ReportSpeech presented to the 2023 Gathering of Tomb Guards Banquet for the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 4, 2023. Dear Honored dinner guests, It is indeed an honor...
Winter Rose Protection for Niphetos in your Never Forget Garden
Posted October 2, 2023 in Centennial{!{rs}!}**Article republished from the White Rose Journal: The Never Forget Garden Project. To find out more visit HERE** Follow these 10 tips, so your winter tender Niphetos will thrive every...
9/11 Ceremony - Paris 16EME
Posted September 27, 2023The History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 26 paintings by artist Dave Rappaport going on exhibit in France (three locations). Presented by the Military Women's Memorial and the Society of...
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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 680 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 five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
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.
