Title: A resolution commemorating the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This resolution commends the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on leading the commemoration of the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 396 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 396

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 29, 2021

 Mr. Moran (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cotton, 
 Mr. Braun, and Mr. Warnock) submitted the following resolution; which 
                      was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   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, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the 
        Unknown Soldier on leading the commemoration of the Centennial 
        of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
            (2) encourages all people of the United States to 
        participate in fitting acts of remembrance such as designating 
        special places in their gardens as ``Never Forget'' gardens 
        which will serve as living tributes to all of the veterans of 
        the United States and their families, observing a 2-minute 
        period of silence in commemoration, the playing of taps, or 
        attending commemoration events with allies of the United States 
        on October 24 and 25, 2021 in France or in Washington, D.C. on 
        November 9 and 11, 2021; and
            (3) encourages the attendance of Veterans' Day ceremonies, 
        visitation of veteran cemeteries and memorials, and the 
        honoring of the American Flag.
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