With the Hand of God He Will Be Delivered Home
By J. R. Neubeiser Technical Editor: Richard Azzaro Military Advisor: SGM (Retired) Gavin McIIvenna, USA Historian: Kara Newcomer Pictured: “White Niphetos roses by Williams Anderson on Artnet”. Updated October 3, 2024 The 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 flags and bunting. A war had been raging in Europe for more than three years, and...
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Tomb Guard Identification Badge Ceremony
Posted May 16, 2022 in Society SpotlightOn 19 May 2022 at 1030, there will be an award ceremony to present the Tomb Guard Identification Badge (TGIB) to the following new Sentinels: Sergeant Jacob Sprosty (TGIB #697) Sergeant Kamille...
Operation Pass the Torch
Posted May 8, 2022 in Special ReportThe Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier asks Americans to join us in our national campaign to observe Memorial Day in the way it was intended per the National Moment of...
Leadership and Loss
Posted April 12, 2022 in Special ReportThere is one, single thing that moved me the most during the France Tour to honor the selection of the World War I Unknown Soldier. I wandered around all those First World War grave markers and saw...
A Gold Star Mother Remembers
Posted April 12, 2022 in Special ReportThe forest smell in Belleau Wood, the blanket of morning fog over farm fields just north of Paris, a beautiful sunrise over Omaha beach… pristine, manicured, bucolic loveliness; these images play...
New Committee Formed
Posted January 31, 2022 in Society SpotlightThe Board of Directors has approved the creation of the Commemorative Committee within the Society. Commemorative Committee will coordinate with organizations that have ties to the Tomb of the...
October 11, 2021 - TUS100 Update
Posted October 11, 2021 in Special ReportNew update with information on events in France and the US, along with the US Senate Resolution. Don't forget to check out the list of events....
Standing the Watch Alone - Part 4
Posted June 27, 2021 in Society SpotlightTurning 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...
Standing the Watch Alone - Part 3
Posted June 27, 2021 in Society SpotlightThe Rendezvous – Part 3 The USS Boston (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{!{rs}!}“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...
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...
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....
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{!{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...
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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?
Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?
Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different. It was flat at ground level without the 70 ton marble 'cap'. People often came to the cemetery in those days and a few actually used the Tomb as a picnic area, likely because of the view. Soon after in 1925, they posted a civilian guard. In 1926, a US Army soldier was posted during cemetery hours. On July 1, 1937 guard duty was expanded to the 24 hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has evolved throughout the years to what you see today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who are speaking too loudly or attempting to get a better picture (by entering the post).
