Commemorating the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Commemorating the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Whereas Congress, in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328), directed the Secretary of Defense to take appropriate action in observing the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a historical event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the selection and burial of an unknown solider from the United States, who fell in France during World War I, and honoring the service and sacrifice of millions of veterans;

Whereas, the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been preparing for the commemoration of the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for several years working alongside Arlington National Cemetery, veteran service organizations, foreign allies, civic associations, Congressional partners, and private citizens to commemorate and educate the United States about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;

Whereas the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was intended to represent more than just a single conflict, serving as a focal point for the United States regardless of race, creed, or politics where the people of the United States can come together as a single Nation to mourn and honor the fallen soldiers from the United States;

Whereas it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Veterans Day, which was established to pay tribute to individuals who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the United States in times of war or armed conflict, and their families;

Whereas greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation of those loyal people of the United States whose values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States;

Whereas each citizen of the United States has a responsibility to raise awareness of and respect for the national heritage of the United States and to encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and principles for which those heroes of the United States died;

Whereas, on October 24, 1921, in accordance with an act of Congress, the World War I Unknown Soldier was selected in Chalons-sur-Marne, France;

Whereas the World War I Unknown Soldier was protected, honored, and revered by the people of France who presented their nation’s highest award for valor upon this unknown warrior from the United States;

Whereas, on October 25, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier began the final difficult journey home aboard the historic USS Olympia through the remnants of 2 hurricanes;

Whereas, on November 9, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier arrived at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and lay in state at the United States Capitol;

Whereas, on November 11, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier was finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after being conferred the Medal of Honor and other medals of valor from allies of the United States;

Whereas, on May 15, 1958, the Korean War Unknown Soldier was selected at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, to represent all of the fallen and missing from that war;

Whereas, on May 26, 1958, the World War II Unknown Soldier was selected at sea aboard the USS Canberra off of the coast of the State of Virginia, to represent all of the fallen and missing from that war;

Whereas, on May 30, 1958, the World War II and Korean War Unknown Soldiers were buried in individual crypts next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after having the Medal of Honor conferred upon them;

Whereas, on May 17, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was designated at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to represent all of the fallen and missing from that war;

Whereas, on May 28, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was buried in an individual crypt, between the World War II and Korean War Unknown Soldier, next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after being conferred the Medal of Honor;

Whereas, on May 14, 1998, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was disinterred and later identified as Captain Michael J. Blassie, and buried under his own name at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri;

Whereas on National POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 17, 1999, the empty Vietnam War Unknown Soldier crypt was rededicated to “Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen” as a reminder of the commitment of the Armed Forces to fullest possible accounting of missing service members;

Whereas the United States Army has provided Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since March 25th, 1926, and maintained a constant 24-hour vigil since midnight July 2nd, 1937; and

Whereas the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of the military of the United States while keeping a constant vigil at this national shrine, and have a special duty to prevent any desecration or disrespect directed towards the Tomb of the Unknown Solder: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,