The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.” These are the words engraved in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The United States was not the first country to come up with the idea of having a memorial to honor all the unidentified soldiers who had died fighting for their country. In fact, France was one of the first countries to build an Unknown Soldier tribute. There was some hesitation to build this monument though because General Peyton C. March was convinced “that while the French and English had many unknown dead, it appeared that the Army Graves Registration Service eventually would identify all the American dead” (The United States Army). But when an American soldier's body was found in France after World War I, Congress decided a tomb should be placed in Arlington National Cemetery in front of the Memorial Amphitheater. There were many ideas for the design of the tomb, but Thomas Hudson Jones and Lorimer Rich's design was the one picked by the Jury of Award. According to Arlingtoncemetery.net, “the total height is eleven feet, the width is eight feet at the base and six feet eight inches at the top, and the length is thirteen feet eleven inches at the base and twelve feet seven inches at the top” (The United States Army).

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a beautiful monument made from American marble and it was built in front of the Memorial Amphitheater and overlooks Washington D.C. Even though the design is simple, it is very powerful because of the emotion visitors feel as they think about what it represents. This monument is not intended to be sad, but it is to honor and respect our country's heroes. Because it is made from marble, it appears very peaceful because it is not a harsh, dark color that is usually associated with death. This work of art certainly honors the hard work and valiance of all those who fight for our country. It is unlike the Taj Mahal and Great Pyramid of Giza because rather than being a giant structure that honors only a single person, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors everyone who died fighting for The United States and was never identified.

“Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.” 8 May 2011 <http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/visitor_information/tomb_of_the_unknowns.html>

“The Unknown Soldier.” The United States Army. 12 Nov 1999. 8 May 2011 <http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/unk-wwi.htm>