Standing the Watch Alone - Part 4
Turning Home – Part 4 With the ceremony complete on the Canberra, the Boston turned north-west and set a course for the Norfolk Naval Base. The Blandy pulled along the port side of Canberra and began high line operations at 1:00 p.m. to transfer the World War II and Korean War Unknown Soldiers for the final leg of their journey home at the Naval Gun Factory on the Potomac River. Once the high line operation from Canberra to Blandy had been completed at 1:17 p.m., the Blandy turned away from...
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Standing the Watch Alone - Part 3
Posted June 27, 2021 in Society SpotlightThe Rendezvous – Part 3 The USSBoston (CA-69) was launched in August 1942 as a heavy cruiser of the Baltimore class. In January 1952 the Boston was reconfigured and reclassified as a guided missile...
Standing the Watch Alone - Part 2
Posted June 27, 2021 in Society SpotlightEpinal – Part 2 Planning for the selection of the Trans-Atlantic Unknown candidate was started by US Army Communications Zone Europe (COMZEUR) in late 1957, prior to involvement of Quartermaster...
Standing the Watch Alone - Part 1
Posted June 27, 2021 in Society Spotlight“When most people think about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they think of the United States Army. Most are unaware that every time the Unknown Soldier was brought home to the United States...
With the Hand of God He Will Be Delivered Home
Posted May 15, 2021 in Special ReportThe words of George M. Cohan’s popular song were being repeated by Americans in cinemas, corner bars and even churches. People decorated their streets, buildings and homes with red, white and blue...
Standing the Watch Alone
Posted May 15, 2021 in Society SpotlightOver the past few months the Centennial Committee has been working on the next edition to the stories behind the transportation of the Unknown Soldiers to the United States mainland. The first...
Centennial Tidbit Spotlight - "Why is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier important?"
Posted March 22, 2021 in Special ReportThe Centennial Committee recently asked a question about "Why is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier important?" Not only to the individual, but to what it means to our nation. In this video we share the...
Standing the watch at Sea in 1958
Posted December 31, 2020 in Special ReportWhen people think about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they think of the United States Army. Most are unaware that every time the Unknown Soldier was brought home it was aboard a US Navy vessel. In...
The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Turns 20
Posted November 1, 2019 in Society SpotlightSociety of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1999 We formed a Society that provided the infrastructure needed for Tomb Guards, past and present, to continue serving the mission as...
Book Review: The Unknowns by Patrick K. O'Donnell
Posted April 14, 2018 in Special ReportI was recently sent an advanced reading copy of The Unknowns by the editor and was also asked to write up a review for the Society website. The Unknowns will be released on May 22, 2018. Advanced...
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...
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...
Bonus Army
Posted July 28, 2015 in Special Report“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 veterans...
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,...
Remembering 9/11/2001
Posted September 11, 2013 in Special ReportToday is the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. As our nation commemorates this day, the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier remembers the innocent individuals who lost their...
The Unknowns Project
Posted June 2, 2012 in Special ReportThe Society would like to introduce a film project - The Unknowns - in support [1] of its producer, Ethan Morse. Ethan is a Tomb Guard Member of the Society. The Unknowns, as described by Ethan, is:...
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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?
Is it true a Sentinel must commit for two years to guard the Tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a 18 months. However, there is NO set time for service there. Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have a living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts. If they are of legal age, they may drink except while on duty.
