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John David Gira, Sep 1955 to Sep 1956, Rest in Peace Brother, We Have the Watch

John David Gira, 86, of Harrisonburg, Va., passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at home in the care of his loving family and an amazing nursing staff. He was born April 15, 1933 in Yonkers, NY to immigrant parents from Slovakia. In youth, John developed a lifelong interest in basketball, culminating in a coaching career of notable success. His teams and players remained close to him throughout his life, which he valued immensely. John served in the US Armed Forces and was awarded the...

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Gary Broersma, Sep 71 to Feb 73, Rest in Peace Brother, We Have the Watch

Posted February 9, 2020 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Gary Broersma’s Celebration of Life at 600 Seminole Woods Blvd, Geneva, FL 32732-8718, United

The Society has lost its champion, I have lost my best friend...

Posted July 7, 2017 in Society Spotlight

by Richard Azzaro (1963-65) "With heavy heart, I want to let you know that we lost a good soldier last night. He fought hard to the end.” With these words, a dutiful and loving son announced the...

Paying Our Respects...

Posted July 6, 2017 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

On January 18, the Society took time to remember Congressman Hamilton Fish III who passed away on this date in 1991. Congressman Fish III was a veteran of World War I (Captain, 369th U.S. Infantry...

We Remember: William "Bill" Spates (TGIB #33)

Posted October 28, 2015 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

William 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, 2015 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Adam 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 participated...

Remembering SGT Franklin...

Posted October 2, 2015 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Marvin “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...

A Memorial Day poem: "Just A Common Soldier..."

Posted May 25, 2015 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Larry 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...

SHGTUS Reunion Highlights - 'Arlington Sons' Performance

Posted October 19, 2014 in Society Spotlight

There 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 star...

Gold Star Mothers: A Memorial Day Memory

Posted May 26, 2014 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Lucky enough to have been one of the few who guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier I can share a few thoughts about this very special day. My early memories of Memorial Day prior to time spent in...

Remembering 9/11/2001

Posted September 11, 2013 in Special Report

Today 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...

A Moment of Personal Reflection - May 14, 1998

Posted May 14, 2013 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the disinterment of the Vietnam Unknown. It seems hard to believe that the middle crypt has been empty for that long. It now serves as a memorial to those that are...

Reflecting on the Vietnam Unknown

Posted April 4, 2013 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

This is an abridged essay I wrote four years ago on Michael J. Blassie, the US Air Force lieutenant who would have been 65 years old today. 1LT Blassie was identified as the Vietnam Unknown in 1998....

Tomb Guards Never Forget… Adam Dickmyer

Posted October 28, 2012 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the loss of Adam Dickmyer. He was killed in action on this day in 2010, in the Kanda-har Province of Afghanistan, protecting our freedoms. Adam was a husband,...

Tomb Guards Never Forget: The Unknowns

Posted June 29, 2012 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

I cry when I hear the national anthem of the United States, The Star-Spangled Banner. The tears, a mixture of joy, pride and sadness. Joy for the fact that I live in a country where I am free to...

Tomb Guards Never Forget: William R. Charette

Posted May 23, 2012 in Tomb Guards Never Forget

In March, a key member of the heritage of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient William “Doc” Charette died at his home in Lake Wales, Florida. He was 79. William...

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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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