Soldiers in The Old Guard hold a flag while a US Army Chaplain conducts a service in Arlington National Cemetery. The 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation’s citizens and the world. Captured by @arlingtonmedia.

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Continue ReadingSoldiers in The Old Guard hold a flag while a US Army Chaplain conducts a service in Arlington National Cemetery. The 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation’s citizens and the world. Captured by @arlingtonmedia.

The ceremonial Changing of the Guard takes place 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It has taken place without interruption since 1937. Neither whether nor acts of terrorism have prevented it from taking place. Before the Changing of the Guard, you will see a lone sentinel, sharply dressed in formal Army attire. At a certain point, the Sentinel will take 21 steps across the mat, past the Tomb. Once he reaches the other end, he will click his heels, make a sharp 90-degree right turn to the east (again, in the direction of the Tomb), click his heels, and then wait another 21 seconds before repeating the process, only this time in the other direction. The Changing of the Guard relief commander will come out, seemingly from nowhere, and will approach and salute the Tomb. He or she will turn to the crowd and ask you to rise and remain silent during the ceremony, all the while, the posted sentinel will continue with his routine. As the Relief Commander is speaking, the relief sentinel will appear. The commander will walk over to the relief sentinel (this is why we suggest positioning yourself on the right side of the grandstand). The commander will conduct a full inspection of the new sentinel, inspecting the weapon and the sentinel himself. This is a real inspection and the relief sentinel can be sent away, leaving the current sentinel in place till the next scheduled Changing of the Guard. If approved, both the relief commander and relief sentinel will walk to the middle to meet with the posted sentinel, all the while keeping in step with each other. At this point, the relief commander will complete the ceremony by having the posted sentinel step off of the mat and face the relief sentinel. Both sentinels will acknowledge each other with orders. All three will salute the Tomb. Then the relief sentinel will step onto the mat and take over where the now relieved sentinel left off. Both the relief commander and the relieved sentinel will walk off (all amazingly in step with each other) and exit off the right, which concludes the ceremony.

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Continue ReadingThe ceremonial Changing of the Guard takes place 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It has taken place without interruption since 1937. Neither whether nor acts of terrorism have prevented it from taking place. Before the Changing of the Guard, you will see a lone sentinel, sharply dressed in formal Army attire. At a certain point, the Sentinel will take 21 steps across the mat, past the Tomb. Once he reaches the other end, he will click his heels, make a sharp 90-degree right turn to the east (again, in the direction of the Tomb), click his heels, and then wait another 21 seconds before repeating the process, only this time in the other direction. The Changing of the Guard relief commander will come out, seemingly from nowhere, and will approach and salute the Tomb. He or she will turn to the crowd and ask you to rise and remain silent during the ceremony, all the while, the posted sentinel will continue with his routine. As the Relief Commander is speaking, the relief sentinel will appear. The commander will walk over to the relief sentinel (this is why we suggest positioning yourself on the right side of the grandstand). The commander will conduct a full inspection of the new sentinel, inspecting the weapon and the sentinel himself. This is a real inspection and the relief sentinel can be sent away, leaving the current sentinel in place till the next scheduled Changing of the Guard. If approved, both the relief commander and relief sentinel will walk to the middle to meet with the posted sentinel, all the while keeping in step with each other. At this point, the relief commander will complete the ceremony by having the posted sentinel step off of the mat and face the relief sentinel. Both sentinels will acknowledge each other with orders. All three will salute the Tomb. Then the relief sentinel will step onto the mat and take over where the now relieved sentinel left off. Both the relief commander and the relieved sentinel will walk off (all amazingly in step with each other) and exit off the right, which concludes the ceremony.

Bravo Company carries a flag-draped casket of an honored veteran to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. Burial flags used for military honors at Arlington National Cemetery measure 5′ x 9 ½’. Most funeral homes will obtain the U.S. flag on behalf of the veteran’s family. Requests for a burial flag must be made at the time of need (time of death). When seen throughout Arlington National Cemetery these flag-draped caskets represent the burial of a service member with honors. This image was captured by our team at @arlingtonmedia.

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Continue ReadingBravo Company carries a flag-draped casket of an honored veteran to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. Burial flags used for military honors at Arlington National Cemetery measure 5′ x 9 ½’. Most funeral homes will obtain the U.S. flag on behalf of the veteran’s family. Requests for a burial flag must be made at the time of need (time of death). When seen throughout Arlington National Cemetery these flag-draped caskets represent the burial of a service member with honors. This image was captured by our team at @arlingtonmedia.

This headstone marks the burial place of two unknown US Soldiers. Of the more than 5,000 unknown soldiers who are buried at Arlington, many can be found in section 27. Their headstones are distinguished by their small block shape. Additionally, this section is the resting place for Private William Henry Christman. Interred on May 13th 1864, Christman was the first military burial on the Arlington grounds. If you are visiting Arlington National Cemetery visit, take some extra time to explore section 27. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it. The stop for Ord and Weitzel Gate which leads to The Marine Corp War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) will drop you off near Section 27. Information gleaned from Arlington Tours and image captured by @arlingtonmedia.

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Continue ReadingThis headstone marks the burial place of two unknown US Soldiers. Of the more than 5,000 unknown soldiers who are buried at Arlington, many can be found in section 27. Their headstones are distinguished by their small block shape. Additionally, this section is the resting place for Private William Henry Christman. Interred on May 13th 1864, Christman was the first military burial on the Arlington grounds. If you are visiting Arlington National Cemetery visit, take some extra time to explore section 27. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it. The stop for Ord and Weitzel Gate which leads to The Marine Corp War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) will drop you off near Section 27. Information gleaned from Arlington Tours and image captured by @arlingtonmedia.

Captured by the @arlingtonmedia team on location, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Arlington National Cemetery’s most iconic memorial. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Since 1921, it has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and Unknowns from later wars were added in 1958 and 1984. The Tomb has also served as a place of mourning and a site for reflection on military service – ANC.

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Continue ReadingCaptured by the @arlingtonmedia team on location, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Arlington National Cemetery’s most iconic memorial. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Since 1921, it has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and Unknowns from later wars were added in 1958 and 1984. The Tomb has also served as a place of mourning and a site for reflection on military service – ANC.

Pictured here is a bald eagle carved into the walls leading up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America.

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Continue ReadingPictured here is a bald eagle carved into the walls leading up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America.

Twenty-four hours a day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” stand watch over the Tomb. The Tomb Guards, also called Sentinels, are chosen for this prestigious and highly selective post only after rigorous training and a demanding series of examinations (see below). The Old Guard has held this distinguished duty since 1948. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the changing of the guard. Soon, the new Sentinel leaves the Tomb Guard quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle, signaling to the relief commander to begin the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and remain silent during the ceremony. The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving Sentinel meet the retiring Sentinel at the center of the black mat in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknown Soldiers who have symbolically been given the Medal of Honor. The relief commander orders the relieved Sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current Sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted Sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the mat. When the relief commander passes, the new Sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute. The Tomb Guard marches exactly 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. (The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.) Next, the Sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. – Arlington National Cemetery

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Continue ReadingTwenty-four hours a day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” stand watch over the Tomb. The Tomb Guards, also called Sentinels, are chosen for this prestigious and highly selective post only after rigorous training and a demanding series of examinations (see below). The Old Guard has held this distinguished duty since 1948. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the changing of the guard. Soon, the new Sentinel leaves the Tomb Guard quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle, signaling to the relief commander to begin the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and remain silent during the ceremony. The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving Sentinel meet the retiring Sentinel at the center of the black mat in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknown Soldiers who have symbolically been given the Medal of Honor. The relief commander orders the relieved Sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current Sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted Sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the mat. When the relief commander passes, the new Sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute. The Tomb Guard marches exactly 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. (The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.) Next, the Sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. – Arlington National Cemetery

A soldier meticulously holds the flag during a service capture by the @arlingtonmedia team in Arlington National Cemetery.

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Continue ReadingA soldier meticulously holds the flag during a service capture by the @arlingtonmedia team in Arlington National Cemetery.

American flags have been draped over military veterans’ coffins since the Napoleonic Wars in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The custom is rich with tradition and requires a certain protocol. Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals. The Department of Veterans Affairs states that veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for an official burial flag. Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased’s next of kin, friend or specified dependent.

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Continue ReadingAmerican flags have been draped over military veterans’ coffins since the Napoleonic Wars in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The custom is rich with tradition and requires a certain protocol. Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals. The Department of Veterans Affairs states that veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for an official burial flag. Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased’s next of kin, friend or specified dependent.

A view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier captured from Roosevelt Drive in Arlington National Cemetery. “Americans have long sought ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Today in Arlington, Virginia, the public is welcome to do so daily by bearing witness to the Changing of the Guard. The tradition honors the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to unidentified members of the military lost in service. The Tomb, first erected in 1921, is located in Arlington National Cemetery. It holds the remains of servicemen from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Throughout the day, a Soldier replaces a comrade in a symbolic ceremony.” – National Museum of the US Army

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Continue ReadingA view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier captured from Roosevelt Drive in Arlington National Cemetery. “Americans have long sought ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Today in Arlington, Virginia, the public is welcome to do so daily by bearing witness to the Changing of the Guard. The tradition honors the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to unidentified members of the military lost in service. The Tomb, first erected in 1921, is located in Arlington National Cemetery. It holds the remains of servicemen from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Throughout the day, a Soldier replaces a comrade in a symbolic ceremony.” – National Museum of the US Army