The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of Arlington Cemetery's most popular sites. The Memorial Amphitheater has been the scene of funerals of some prominent Americans as well as the site of the Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations.

The remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II and the Korean conflict are contained in the Tomb. It is perpetually guarded by members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard). Since 1937, the Tomb has been guarded 365 days a year, every minute of the day and night. The guards never wear their rank on their uniforms, as they do not want to outrank the unknown soldiers, whatever their rank may have been.

The bodies of many soldiers killed in World War I could not be identified. To honor them, the remains of one were brought to the United States Capitol to lie in state. On Armistice Day, 1921, the remains were ceremoniously buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb bears the inscription: Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God

Congress later directed that an unknown American from subsequent wars, World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War, be similarly honored. With the development of DNA technology, the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War was exhumed and identified. There may never be another unknown soldier.

The changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every hour in winter and every half-hour in summer. All walks are two hours in duration after the cemetery is closed. As the active sentry nears the end of his walk, a uniformed relief commander enters the plaza to announce the changing of the guard. When the sentinel assigned the next walk leaves the Guard Quarters, he unlocks his M14 rifle to signify he is ready to begin the ceremony. The relief commander slowly approaches the Tomb, salutes, faces the visitors, and requests silence during the ceremony. As the new sentinel approaches, the relief commander slowly, and with great precision, conducts a white-glove inspection of the sentinel's weapon. The two men then march to the center of the black mat where the duty sentinel stops his walk. All three men salute the Tomb. The Tomb sentinels salute with their rifles held in front of them. Pass on your orders, the commander instructs the active sentinel. Post and orders, remain as directed, he replies. Orders acknowledged, answers the relieving sentinel, who then steps into position at the center of the mat. As soon as the relief sentinel and relief commander pass, the new sentinel begins his walk: 21 paces south, turn and pass for 21 seconds, turn and pass 21 steps south, repeating the actions without distraction until relieved by the next changing of the guard.

A small building, known as "the box," is next to the Tomb. During the wreath-laying ceremonies, it is a retreat for the sentinel while flowers and taps are presented. The building also has a telephone with a direct line to the Tomb Guard Quarters for emergencies or to relay information to the next shift. - RC