The Last Walk
10 years ago
On October 2, 2015 the first double Last Walk Ceremony in memory was held in the Memorial Display Room in Arlington National Cemetery. Just hours prior to this Sergeant Patrick Leamy and Sergeant First Class John Wirth, the ASOG and SOG respectively, enjoyed their final moments with the Unknown Soldiers. SSG Blackmore first posted SGT Leamy, who relieved SPC Redmond on the mat.
The wind and rain from the leading edges of Hurricane Joaquin began to cascade onto the plaza as SGT Leamy walked the man with his family and Tomb Guard brothers watching. He later said the "I found it sad that I would never be with the Unknowns like this again." After 30 minutes SSG Hickman, assuming the role of both ASOG and acting SOG, returned to post SFC Wirth and relieve SGT Leamy for the last time. With his parents watching, SGT Leamy then paid his final respects to the Unknown Soldiers that had stood watch over for the past 34 months.
SFC Wirth then resumed his post on the mat. The cold had joined the wind and rain, and you could see SFC Wirth's breath as he stood his final watch. What you couldn't see is how he felt with the platoon watching saying, "I always get nervous when I'm on the mat in front of them". While SOGs usually don't walk the mat SFC Wirth felt it was important to set the example as a leader, and walked whenever the platoon was short on man-power.
On October 5th, 2015 Sergeant Seth Callaway also said goodbye to the Unknown Soldiers with the platoon and family in attendance. Watching the relief prepare for his last walk was akin to watching a tornado tear through a stand of trees.
With SPC Redmond coming off the mat, SSG Carney conducted a "Silent Guard Change" and posted SGT Callaway for the last time. The rain had cleared up from the weekend, and it was beautiful crisp morning. It was very impressive to hear the deafening silence, broken only the sharp heel clicks, during the guard change. Following his last walk, SGT Callaway and his family spent a few precious moments in the Memorial Display room thanking everyone for their friendship and leadership during his tour.
SGT Callaway and family will be moving to his new assignment in Colorado.
On November 2nd, Corporal Johnathon Gatewood (2013-15) also conducted his last walk as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with his fellow Sentinel watching and family in attendance.
- Gavin McIlvenna, SHGTUS Vice President
Photos courtesy of Gavin McIlvenna and CPL Cody W. Torkelson, (TOG)
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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.
