Missing In Action
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation John Hamre, Neale Cosby, Richard Azzaro, and Mick Kicklighter Dear Colleagues, This article is being forwarded to capture the work of Joe Neubeiser, Joe Griffies, and Richard Azzaro. This article was inspired by a woman who assisted us in finding the grave of Chaplain Father Duff, who escorted the remains of the World War I Unknown from France in 1921. How we met her kind and generous assistance would in itself justify our telling you about her. But there...
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THE ‘NEVER FORGET’ ROSE IS HERE!
Posted June 24, 2023Today we have the privilege and honor to announce the availability of the “NEVER FORGET” rose, dedicated to the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, from Fabien and Florence Ducher of...
Yellow Rose Bouquets & Wreaths in Commemoration of the End of the Vietnam War Circular Letter
Posted January 17, 2023 in Special ReportFlowers can speak for us when we struggle to express our feelings in words. One of the more moving experiences as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is witnessing how flowers expressed...
Commemorative Committee Support
Posted January 17, 2023 in Society SpotlightAll, the Commemorative Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with events across the US on key dates in the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some of these are simple flower ceremonies,...
"Sentinel" | Now Streaming on Amazon
Posted December 13, 2022My recent documentary, “ Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty”, has officially released sooner than expected and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video! It can be seen in the US and UK, and DVDs are...
Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty Showing
Posted December 3, 2022Sentinel Documentary: Showing in San Francisco! The documentary "Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty" was officially selected to screen on December 10, 2022, at the San Francisco Veterans Film...
U.S. Navy Veteran, Thomas Spivey, Passes Away
Posted November 30, 2022With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of a U.S. Navy Veteran, Thomas Spivey, on August 19, 2022. Petty Officer Third Class Tom Spivey was an 18-year-old fireman with a place in history as...
World War I History Podcast Released
Posted November 6, 2022 in Society SpotlightPlease take a moment and check out this podcast from the MacArthur Memorial where they talked with former 1st Relief Commander and Society President Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) about the World War I...
Never Forget Garden Dedication - MT. Olivet Cemetery, MD
Posted November 1, 2022 in CentennialOn October 29, at the invitation of the Carrollton Manor Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Richard Azzaro (Co-Founder of SHGTUS) and Charles “Cochise”...
Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Released
Posted November 1, 2022 in Special ReportPlease take a moment to check out the American Legion Tango Alpha Lima Podcast with former Sergeant of the Guard Chelsea Porterfield. Over the years they have interviews a couple of former Tomb...
World Premier of Documentary "Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty"
Posted October 29, 2022The documentary "Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty" by Society Legacy Member Phil Garrison takes you inside the sacred duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and highlights his father's duty as a...
USS Olympia Commemorates 101years of Service to the Unknown Soldier
Posted October 27, 2022 in Special ReportDuring the lead up to the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1921-2021) the Society dove deeper into the history of each of the Unknown Soldiers buried on the east plaza of the Memorial...
Meuse-Argonne Flower Ceremony
Posted October 27, 2022 in Special ReportOn October 24, 2022 the staff of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery supported the Society by laying flowers at the graves of the Unknown Soldier candidates not selected in 1921 to become the World...
Survey on Reunion 2021 is in your In-Box
Posted October 26, 2022 in The SentinelAll members: please check your email inbox for a survey on Reunion 2021. This less than 15 question survey will help shape Reunion 2023 (November 3-5) and your comments are important. If you don't...
Passing of Society Member
Posted October 25, 2022 in Special ReportIt is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of a brother Tomb Guard and Life Society Member, Darrell Weber (1962-63) on October 7, 2022. You may find his obituary HERE Rest in Peace...
Commemorating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial [1921-2021] and the WWI Dead of Yolo County
Posted October 3, 2022 in CentennialThe Society is supporting the exhibit planned by the Friends of the Yolo County Archives in Woodland, CA. Please take a moment to view the press release on events starting October 7 - November 11,...
Staff Ride on the Little Bighorn
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelHistory, nowadays, is usually experienced by seeing it after the fact, unless a person was lucky enough to be present when the event occurred. The military conducts “staff rides” where a battlefield...
Special Art Honors Crow Nation
Posted October 2, 2022 in Society SpotlightAs the 27th Day of Honor approached the Society wanted to present something special to the members of the Chief Plenty Coup Honor Guard and the Crow Nation to mark their participation in the...
Commemorative Committee Update
Posted October 2, 2022 in The SentinelAs 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...
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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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Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
