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November 6th - 12th

Let us explore the story of the Unknown Soldier. Veterans’ Day was originally called Armistice Day. It was observed throughout the United States by veteran’s parades and public services, which were both religious and secular. Two minutes of silence honored the dead. Armistice Day was changed to Veterans’ Day after World War II as a time to honor all who had fought in various American wars not just in World War I.

In 1920, a British Unknown Soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey, the burial place for kings and queens. In that same year, a French Unknown Solider was interred at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where a perpetual flame still burns. And in 1921, the American Unknown Solider, symbolizing all the unknown dead, was chosen in an unusual way. Six soldiers of the American Army of Occupation in Germany were selected from different sectors as pallbearers. They were interviewed by General Rogers and the following day, Sergeant Edward F. Younger of the 59th Infantry was asked to make a choice among four caskets, with unidentified bodies interred from the American cemeteries located at Bony, Belleau Wood, Romagne, and Thiaucourt. The sergeant received a bouquet of white roses when he was ready to perform his solemn duty. He was instructed to proceed into City hall at Chalons, where the four caskets were positioned. Sergeant Younger fully realized the immense importance of his decision; and after bowing his head, he walked around the coffins three times. The fourth time around, he seemed involuntarily drawn to the second coffin, and reverently, with respect for the dead solider, he laid the roses on it, saluted and advised his commanding officer that he had accomplished his mission.

The body of the Unknown Soldier was brought home on the cruiser, Olympia, reaching Washington, D.C. on the 9th of November, 1921. Thousands of people passed by the body as it lay in state in the rotunda of the Capital for three days. Flags were flown at half mast from sunrise to sunset, and President Harding requested that all Americans pay silent tribute as the casket was lowered into the tomb at 11 A.M. on November 11, 1921.

The plain white marble tomb is inscribed with these words: “Here rests in honored glory An American Soldier Known but to God.’

To the wives of our military, to the women serving in our military, to the families who have loved ones currently engaged in combat, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (KJV)

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