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For 100 years, a military guard has stood watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, representing a century of steadfastness, dedication and respect.
Today, we commemorate this milestone and highlight the legacy of those who have kept this sacred vigil since March 25, 1926.
From the precision of the Changing of the Guard to the reverence they have for the unknown service members, this century-long commitment reflects a tradition of American patriotism and honor.
Join us as we pay tribute to the Tomb Guard and their century of unbroken service, preserving the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
(U.S. Army Video by Derek Patterson / Arlington National Cemetery)
Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Changing of the guard. Arlington National Cemetery. #arlington #washingtondc
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery has been under 24-hour armed guard every minute of every day since July 2, 1937. The vigil began in response to public disrespect and vandalism at the site in the early 1930s.
The specific date of April 6, 1948, is when the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”) was formally designated as the permanent ceremonial unit for the tomb. Prior to that, the continuous guard was maintained by various other military units of the Washington, D.C., garrison.
A proud tradition of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The Class of 2026 had beautiful weather for their trip and got to take in all the best tour stops in our nation’s capital this week.
At Arlington National Cemetery, group burial markers honor those who served together and are now laid to rest together. Visit the USS Serpens Memorial, the largest single disaster in Coast Guard history, as well as the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. These stand as testaments to ultimate sacrifice and unbreakable bonds.
Join us to hear the stories that can’t be told anywhere else. 🕊️
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#ArlingtonNationalCemetery #HonorRememberExplore #MilitaryHistory
June 21, 2025. DC day three Arlington Cemetery and The Unknown Soldier
The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a ceremonial guard relief at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, performed by soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” The Tomb honors unidentified American service members, and the watch has been maintained continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since 1937. 
Visitors can watch the ceremony in person. The official public schedule is every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through September 30 while the cemetery is open. 
It is known for its precision, silence, and deep symbolism. During the ceremony, the relief commander oversees the exchange between the outgoing and incoming sentinel, and visitors are expected to remain silent and standing.
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the sentinel follows a very precise pattern while guarding the tomb.
The guard’s exact routine
1. Walks 21 steps across the mat behind the tomb.
2. Faces east toward the tomb for 21 seconds.
3. Turns and faces north for 21 seconds.
4. Walks another 21 steps back across the mat.
This cycle repeats continuously while the sentinel is on duty.
Why 21 steps?
The 21 steps symbolize the highest military honor — the 21-gun salute.
Everything about the guard ceremony reflects this honor and respect for fallen soldiers whose identities are unknown.
Additional symbolic details
• The sentinel’s weapon is always carried on the shoulder away from the tomb as a sign of respect.
• The guard never turns their back on the tomb.
• The tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, every day, since 1937, in all weather.
It’s one of the most disciplined and moving military traditions in the United States.
#tomboftheunknownsoldier #changingoftheguards #arlingtoncemetery #respectandhonor🇺🇸 #freedomisnotfree🇺🇸
At Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, a silent vigil has been maintained every minute of every day since July 2, 1937. The continuous guard was established after incidents of vandalism and public disrespect in the early 1930s, ensuring that the resting place of unidentified American service members would always be protected and honored.
On April 6, 1948, the responsibility for guarding the tomb was formally assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. The soldiers who serve as Sentinels volunteer for the role and undergo extensive training in military history, ceremonial precision, and discipline before earning the privilege to guard the monument.
Their routine follows a strict and symbolic pattern. Each Sentinel walks 21 steps across the black mat, pauses for 21 seconds, then turns and repeats the movement—representing the 21-gun salute, the highest military honor in the United States. The ritual continues regardless of weather conditions, including storms, snow, and extreme heat.
The tomb holds the remains of unidentified American service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. A service member once interred as the unknown from the Vietnam War was later identified through DNA testing in 1998, leaving that crypt empty today.
For more than 85 years, the uninterrupted watch has stood as one of the most powerful symbols of honor and remembrance for those who gave their lives in service but were never identified. 🇺🇸
Arlington National Cemetery is offering a rare chance to witness a sunrise perfectly aligning with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The moment came Tuesday morning and marks the tomb’s 100th anniversary year.
Arlington Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier Turns 100
One hundred years ago today, March 25, 1926, Arlington changed forever.
That was the day soldiers were first officially assigned to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during daylight hours. Most people know the ceremony. Far fewer know the exact date the armed military watch actually began. 
The part everyone remembers is the precision.
Twenty one steps.
Pause for twenty one seconds.
Turn and face the Tomb for twenty one seconds.
That ritual honors the 21 gun salute, the highest military tribute. 
But the timeline matters.
The Unknown Soldier was interred in 1921. A civilian guard was posted in 1925 after disrespectful behavior from visitors around the site. Then on March 25, 1926, the military took over the watch in daylight hours. By midnight on July 2, 1937, it became a full 24 hour duty that has continued ever since. 
And the standards are brutal.
Arlington says candidates memorize seven pages of cemetery history just in the trial phase. Recent Army and cemetery reporting also shows the Tomb Guard badge remains one of the rarest in the Army, with fewer than 800 awarded. 
This is one of the most disciplined traditions anywhere in America, and it is sitting right here in Arlington.
Which is more impressive to you, the physical control or the mental discipline?
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I stopped by the national cemetery today and was just frozen in place. The sight of the endless, perfect rows under a quiet sky is something photos can't capture.
The silence is the first thing you notice. It's not empty, but full of respect and history. It’s a powerful feeling that's hard to describe.
Walking among the headstones, you feel the weight of each story, each sacrifice. It’s an incredibly humbling and emotional experience. 💔
I just had to film this moment. Not for any reason other than to try and capture a fraction of the reverence that fills the air here.
A powerful reminder of the price of freedom. We will remember them. 🙏🇺🇸 #NationalCemetery #HonorTheFallen #Military #Remembrance #ThankYouForYourService #NeverForget #SupportOurTroops #USA #Heroes