Joel Mark Solliday is the editor of Campus CrossWalk and the pulpit minister of the Northern Light Center Church of Christ in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. A Pepperdine graduate, he later worked in their Campus Life Office and at ACU as a Missionary in Residence. He earned his M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
The Tomb of the Unknowns (Honor is Alive and Well) The Tomb of the Unknowns was established in 1921. Three of its chambers contain the remains of unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and Korea. Only the finest soldiers are selected to guard the Tomb. The sentinels are specially trained soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). They watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sentinels began guarding the Tomb in 1948. No guard has ever retreated. Each guard's dedication is made clear by the Sentinel's Creed: My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day Alone in the thoughtful peace of night, This soldier will in honored glory Rest under my eternal vigilance. On September 18, 2003, hurricane Isabel struck Washington, D.C. At the Arlington National Cemetery, the sentinels who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns were free to withdraw to safer positions under the Memorial Amphitheater arches or inside the trophy room should conditions become life-threatening — positions from which they could still maintain their mission watching over the Tomb. But none retreated. Hurricane Isabel struck — 24 trees would be uprooted across the cemetery and three headstones would be crushed — each sentinel took turns standing his ground. How could a sentinel retreat to safer ground in the midst of a dinky hurricane when so many others have given so much more? Honor, sacrifice and duty are still alive and well. If you don't believe me, pay a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery and stop by the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The Tomb of the Unknowns
(Honor is Alive and Well)
The Tomb of the Unknowns was established in 1921. Three of its chambers contain the remains of unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and Korea. Only the finest soldiers are selected to guard the Tomb. The sentinels are specially trained soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). They watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sentinels began guarding the Tomb in 1948. No guard has ever retreated.
Each guard's dedication is made clear by the Sentinel's Creed:
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect.
His bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day
Alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
This soldier will in honored glory
Rest under my eternal vigilance.
On September 18, 2003, hurricane Isabel struck Washington, D.C. At the Arlington National Cemetery, the sentinels who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns were free to withdraw to safer positions under the Memorial Amphitheater arches or inside the trophy room should conditions become life-threatening — positions from which they could still maintain their mission watching over the Tomb.
But none retreated. Hurricane Isabel struck — 24 trees would be uprooted across the cemetery and three headstones would be crushed — each sentinel took turns standing his ground. How could a sentinel retreat to safer ground in the midst of a dinky hurricane when so many others have given so much more?
Honor, sacrifice and duty are still alive and well. If you don't believe me, pay a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery and stop by the Tomb of the Unknowns.