Society Staff
Staff
Board of Directors
- Jeffery Stitzel, President
- Scott Sengenberger, Vice-President
- Timothy Gerard, Secretary
- Larry W. Seaton, Treasurer / Historian
- Lonny LeGrand, Jr., Past-President
- Carnell Nettles, Director
- Adam Nemon, Director
- Joseph Hull, Director
- Brian Gougler, Director
- Andrew Rath, Director
- SFC Andrew D Jay, Sergeant of the Guard
Staff
- Maria Diaz, Legal Counsel
- Charles Shacochis, Chaplain
Committee Contacts
- Membership Committee - Scott Sengenberger
- Administrative Assistant - Lynn Giddings
- Newsletter Editor - Jasmine Diaz
- Commemorative Committee - Joseph Hull
- TUS100 - Richard Azzaro
- National Salute Project - Richard Azzaro
- Journey Home Project - Richard Azzara
- Never Forget Garden Project - Richard Azzaro
- Co-Director Marilyn Wellen, American Rose Society
- TG100 - Not Identified
- TUS100 - Richard Azzaro
- Education Committee - Scott Sengenberger
- Outreach Coordinator - Cathy Lowe
- TUS Replica Coordinator - Herb Smith
- History Committee - Larry Seaton
- Public Affairs Committee - Not Identified
- Reunion Committee - Carnell Nettles
- Events Director - Not Identified
- Tomb Guard Assistance Program - Carnell Nettles
- TGAP Co-Chair - Brian Gougler
- Bereavement Director - Amy McIlvenna
- TGAP Co-Chair - Brian Gougler
- Quartermaster Committee- Dave Hathaway
Honorary Board of Directors
- Chief of Staff, United States Army
- Sergeant Major of the Army
- Commanding General, Military District of Washington
- Command Sergeant Major, Military District of Washington
- Commanding Officer, 3d US Infantry (The Old Guard)
- Regimental Sergeant Major, 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
- Sergeant of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Support the Society
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.
Learn More
Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 680 tomb guards awarded the badge since 1958 when we started counting. There are hundreds more from the year 1926 when the Army started guarding the Tomb. The 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) is the unit that has been given the duty of guarding the Tomb. It was given this sacred duty in 1948. The Old Guard was -- and still is -- considered a combat unit. As an Infantry unit, females were not permitted in the ranks for many years. It wasn't until 1994 that females were permitted to volunteer to become a Sentinel when the 289th Military Police Company was attached to the Old Guard. The MP branch is a combat support unit and includes females.
In 1996, SGT Heather Johnsen became the first female to earn the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. She volunteered for duty in June 1995 and earned her badge in 1996. However, SGT Johnson was not the only female Sentinel. Since then, there have been a total of five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
Several other units have since been attached to the Old Guard -- food
service, transportation, medics, etc. -- so now females have an ever
greater opportunity to become a Sentinel. Females must meet the same
requirements as the male soldiers to be eligible to volunteer at the
Tomb. the only difference is that females have a minimum height of 5'8"
-- which is the same standard to be a member of the Old Guard.
