Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Military memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, US
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a white marble monument built on a hillside within Arlington National Cemetery to honor service members who died without their identities being recovered. The sarcophagus displays three carved panels depicting allegorical figures, along with six inverted wreaths that represent different battles from World War I.
The monument was dedicated on November 11, 1921, after one unidentified soldier was chosen from among four sets of remains exhumed from French battlefields. Additional crypts for service members from World War II and the Korean War were added later, making the site represent several conflicts from the 20th century.
Soldiers from the 3d Infantry Regiment perform the Changing of the Guard ceremony with precise movements and measured steps, following a routine that visitors usually watch in silence. The inscription on the marble refers to a service member whose name was never recovered, creating a moment that many people use for personal reflection.
Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place every hour between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily and involves soldiers rotating positions with a fixed ritual. The site sits on elevated ground within the cemetery grounds, so expect a short walk from the entrance.
The crypt for the Vietnam War has remained empty since 1998, after DNA testing identified the remains as those of Air Force Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie. His remains were later returned to his family and buried elsewhere, making this the only crypt without occupant.
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