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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National Moment of Silence
Posted January 14, 2016 in CentennialBy Gavin McIlvenna, Centennial Committee Chairman On November 11th, members of the SHGTUS Centennial Committee facilitated the inaugural National Moment of Silence (NMS) project in five states...
Busting Historical Myths with Professor Buzzkill
Posted November 6, 2015 in Special ReportWe are excited to announce that Lifetime Member Dennis McMahon (TGIB #320), was recently the interview subject of "Professor Buzzkill". Professor Buzzkill is a blog and podcast that explores history...
We Remember: William "Bill" Spates (TGIB #33)
Posted October 28, 2015William Richard Spates, Jr. was born September 8, 1939, in Washington, DC to a family with a long history of service to the United States. An avid history buff, he enlisted in the United States Army...
Five Years After... we remember SSG Adam Dickmyer
Posted October 28, 2015Adam L. Dickmyer was born on February 2, 1984 in York, Pennsylvania. He attended Mineral Springs Elementary and Middle Schools before graduating from Carver High School in 2002, where he...
Remembering SGT Franklin...
Posted October 2, 2015 in Special ReportMarvin “Lyle” Franklin Jr. was born on July 15, 1945 in Oklahoma City, where he graduated from Putnam City High School in 1963. He was a member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Putnam...
Remembering our Fallen – SGT Franklin
Posted September 30, 2015Tomb Guards Never Forget – SGT Marvin Lyle Franklin, Jr (TGIB #56) Marvin “Lyle” Franklin Jr. was born on July 15, 1945 in Oklahoma City, where he graduated from Putnam City High School in 1963. He...
Former Sentinel in the Spotlight
Posted September 30, 2015 in Society SpotlightFormer Sentinel Roy May (2002-04) has led a varied life — active duty soldier, Aggie Yell Leader and now barbecue pitmaster. May, Class of 2015 and Aggie Yell Leader from 2013-2015, has ventured...
The Last Walk
Posted September 30, 2015 in Society SpotlightOn 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...
International Beard Competition
Posted September 30, 2015 in Society SpotlightI retired in 2013 and as soon as I signed out I stopped shaving and haven’t shaved since. It wasn’t an infantile response to authority as much as it was an “I’m just tired of shaving every morning”...
Bonus Army
Posted July 28, 2015 in Special Report{!{rs}!}“The whole scene was pitiful.” July 28 marks the anniversary of the Army’s role in ousting the veterans of World War I from the national capital. The so-called “Bonus Army” was comprised of...
Top of the World Turned Upside Down - A Tomb Guard's Experience at Everest
Posted July 7, 2015This past April a SHGTUS Founding Father, Larry Seaton (Tomb Guard Identification Badge #106, 1970-71), set out to summit Mount Everest. He was present when a MW 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal. He was...
Top of the World Turned Upside Down
Posted June 30, 2015 in Special ReportFour and one half years ago, at the age of fifty-nine, I discovered the world of alpine mountaineering. Since that beginning I have reached the summits of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney in California,...
A Memorial Day poem: "Just A Common Soldier..."
Posted May 25, 2015Larry Vaincourt's classic poem was first published in his 1987 Remembrance Day newspaper column. There are several incorrect versions of this poem circulating the web; below you'll find the original...
National Medal of Honor Day
Posted March 25, 2015On this National Medal of Honor Day, we would like to share the citations for each Unknown as issued by the War Department and later the Department of Defense. World War I Unknown: By virtue of an...
African-American Tomb Guard recalls journey (guest post)
Posted February 2, 2015On the first week of African Amercian History Month, we would like to share this guest post from US Army SSG Megan Garcia. It originally was posted via the Army News Service in 2012. ARLINGTON, Va....
SHGTUS Reunion Highlights - Remarks from Patrick K. Hallinan, Executive Director, Army National Military Cemeteries
Posted January 7, 2015 in Society SpotlightAt our 2014 reunion banquet we were honored to have Patrick K. Hallinan as guest speaker. Mr. Hallinan served as Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery from October 2010 to July 2013. Here are...
SHGTUS Reunion Highlights - 'Arlington Sons' Performance
Posted October 19, 2014 in Society SpotlightThere were many highlights from this past reunion. Perhaps the most unique was the performance of the musical piece, Arlington Sons, by David and Richard Pittsinger. David is a renowned Broadway...
Four SHGTUS Members recieve THE ORDER OF SAINT MAURICE
Posted October 16, 2014 in Society SpotlightLast Saturday night at our 2014 banquet, four SHGTUS founding members received The Order of Saint Maurice on behalf of the National Infantry Association. The Order of Saint Maurice has five levels....
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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 does the guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour shift?
Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief (team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 96 hours off. However, over the years it has been different. The time off isn't exactly free time. It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep their uniform for the next work day. Additionally, they have Physical Training, Tomb Guard training, and haircuts to complete before the next work day.
