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2021-11-10 03:59:31
By Ravi Kumar V Image Source ScreenShot
For the first time in nearly 100 years, a sacred part of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery that is usually only visited by presidents and foreign dignitaries is open to visitors for two days, honoring the memorial's centennial which is dedicated to America’s unidentified war casualties.
Arlington National Cemetery said in a statement that the open hours on Tuesday and Wednesday mark a "rare opportunity for the public to walk next to the Tomb—a privilege otherwise given only to the Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment or 'The Old Guard.'"
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has served as the symbolic final resting place for unidentified or missing American soldiers — and specifically the final resting place since 1921 for three unknown U.S. service members from World War I.
The memorial was dedicated on Nov. 11, 1921, after the remains of an unidentified soldier from World War I were exhumed from a military cemetery in France, flown to the United States, and buried in a ceremony officiated by President Warren G. Harding.
Remains of unidentified soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were later interred at the tomb in the 1950s. The remains of a Vietnam War veteran were buried there in 1984, but they were exhumed in 1998 and buried at a Missouri military cemetery at the request of the soldier’s family after he was positively identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, according to the Arlington National Cemetery website.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza on the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is usually reserved for the sentinels who stand guard, and presidents and other dignitaries presenting a wreath or flowers. The move comes just ahead of Veterans Day on Thursday.
Members of the public may step forward on the plaza on Tuesday and Wednesday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time, and pay their respects by placing flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Tickets to participate are sold out, but walk-ups will also be allowed.
Visitors, who were required to register online before the event ran out of passes, will be able to visit and lay complimentary flowers at the memorial from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ups might also be permitted.
"As you lay your flower, we at Arlington encourage you to reflect on the meaning of the Tomb. By the simple act of laying a flower, you are not only honoring the three unknowns buried here but all unknown or missing American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation," Tim Frank, the Arlington National Cemetery's historian, said during Tuesday's opening ceremony, according to CNN.
On Veterans Day, the public will be invited to observe a joint full honors procession that will closely resemble the World War I unknown soldier’s funeral procession 100 years ago.
There will also be a joint service flyover with aircraft from all branches of the military, along with an invite-only wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which President Biden is scheduled to attend.
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