Portugal chose to bring home two Unknown Soldiers who fell in France and Africa, entombing them in the Monastery of Batalha near Leiria on April 6, 1921.

Soon nations that had fought during the war decided to also exhume and then bury one of their own to represent all the fallen. Represent all the dead from World War I in 1919 with their nations unknown warriors being laid to rest on November 11, 1920. As Tomb Guards, we stand watch over their graves in humble reverence, ensuring the Unknowns rest in peace.īrittan officially began the process of selecting one of their fallen to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded at all times. The Tomb is the final resting place for the World War I Unknown Soldier, and three crypts contain the remains of Unknown Soldiers representing World War II, the Korean War, with an empty crypt dedicated to honoring our nations missing. The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest on the east plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater represent all missing and unknown service members who served and made the ultimate sacrifice – they not only gave their lives, but also their identities to protect these freedoms. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (TUS) was established in 1921.

“We have had no national expression of any sort since the war ended that would give the people an opportunity to show their appreciation of the services over there of the young manhood of the nation and it seems to me it would be a very fine thing for Congress to make some provision for a ceremony that would give the people of the country an opportunity to do that.” Congress enacted legislation following World War I to dedicate such a place. Considering the amount of sacrifices made throughout U.S. Yet, at the beginning of the 20th century, there remained no singular place for Americans to visit in order to pay tribute to those who gave all. Special days were dedicated for paying tribute to those who served since the earliest days of U.S. They need a place that represents this loss and celebrates the service and sacrifice that protect the liberties of free nations.

A nation of families, friends and citizens, mourning the loss of their loved ones, need closure in order to start their grieving process. Sacrifice, suffering, and grief are synonymous with war.

Tomb of unknown soldier