Official Escort to the President of the United States and the Nation's Premier Memorial Affairs and Ceremonial unit. (Following, RTs and links ≠ Endorsement)
As thunder shook the ground, rains washed down and winds literally snapped century-old trees in half, A Tomb Sentinel moved through the elements with precision and grace toward the tomb. He knelt and placed a U.S. flag to honor the Unknowns. Only a few witnessed it.
On a recent Autumn morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
@ArlingtonNatl
, history was made. For the first time in the 84-year vigil, on the 30770th day of continuous guarding, an all-female guard change occurred with the 38th Sergeant of the Guard.
#Tomb100
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded for the past 83 years. Sentinels have implemented proper precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ensuring that their constant watch continues.
#COVID19
Today, Sergeant of the Guard SFC Chelsea Porterfield completed her final walk at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As the 38th Sergeant of the Guard, she is the 1st female to hold this position. Thank you for your countless hours of service and leading the way for future Soldiers.
Staff Sgt. Chadwick Winget (badge # 693) conducted his last walk as a Tomb Sentinel after 29 months of honoring the Unknowns and guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During his time at the tomb, Winget completed 50 walks, and 1493 guard changes. 🇺🇸
After serving 20 months as a Tomb Sentinal, Cpl. Zackry Phillips (badge # 706) conducted his last walk followed by the traditional rose-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While at TUS, Phillips conducted 432 walks, 183 changes, and 238 wreath-laying ceremonies.
#HappeningNow
Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) have commenced "Flags-In". Over 1,000 servicemembers are currently placing an American flag in front of more than 265,000 headstones in Arlington National Cemetery.
#HonorThem
The Old Guard is incredibly humbled to have provided ceremonial support for the funeral of Gen. Colin L. Powell, the 65th U.S. Secretary of State. Thank you for your countless hours of service to our Nation and for championing the path for future Soldiers.
For over 3 years,
@USArmy
SGT Skylar Land (Badge # 691) has served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
@ArlingtonNatl
, honoring our Nation’s fallen heroes.
During his tenure, he conducted over 900 guard postings. This morning marked his last walk with the TUS platoon.
#icymi
Sentinels continued their solemn duty during the first snow fall of the season at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. No matter the weather, Sentinels maintain constant vigil over those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Regardless of the elements, a Tomb Guard never falters and will complete their 21 steps.
On July 29,
#TOG
’s Pfc. Jessica Kwiatkowski completed her solemn duty in the midst of a violent rainstorm with winds above 80 mph.
Learn about her experience here:
VA, MD and DC have declared state of emergencies for
#HurricanceFlorence
.
@USArmyOldGuard
Tomb Sentinels maintain their constant guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Their watch remains uninterrupted for 81 years.
@FEMAregion3
has regional info.
@NWS
provides storm updates.
Honoring our heroes 🫡 🇺🇸
Today, The
#OldGuard
continued its revered tradition of emplacing more than 260,000 American flags at each headstone in Arlington National Cemetery. Each flag represents a story of courage and sacrifice, representing the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The Old Guard highlights Sgt. Heather Wagner, who became the first female to become a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"There is no higher honor... I can't think of anything else I'd rather do for my country than to guard the Unknowns."
#WomensHistoryMonth2021
As the Unknown guarded us during their service, so the Sentinels guard the Unknown during theirs.
Spc. Gavin Glover (badge
#714
) and Pfc. Jessica Kwiatkowski (badge
#715
) are the newest Sentinels to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier platoon. Please join us in congratulating them.
40th Sergeant of the Guard, SFC Brian J. Gougler (Badge
#601
), conducted his final walk at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in
@ArlingtonNatl
. While serving in this position, Gougler honorably conducted over 769 changing of the guard ceremonies, and 328 walks.
Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, along with a bugler from
@theusarmyband
gather as one to lay a Christmas Day wreath in honor of the Unknown Soldiers in
@ArlingtonNatl
.
Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) transfers the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, at Dover Air Force Base, Del., January 3, 2018.
Cpt. Matthew R. Heider, The 15th Commander of the Guard (badge # 713) conducted his last changing of the guard after honorably serving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for 11 months. He then participated in the traditional rose-laying ceremony.
Sgt. Kamile Torres, the first Latina Tomb Sentinel reflects on her iconic last walk and her time serving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
#WHM
(
@USArmy
🎥 by Sgt. Josue Patricio)
Soldiers assigned to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continue their solemn duty during the first snow fall of the season in
@ArlingtonNatl
. No matter the weather, these dedicated Soldiers maintain constant vigil over those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
For over 60 years,
#TOG
has honored U.S. fallen heroes the Thursday prior to
#MemorialDay
, by placing U.S. flags at the headstones and niche of service members buried in
@ArlingtonNatl
. This year,
#FlagsIn
was completed within 7 hours with over 260,000 flags placed.
#HonorThem
Today we had the privilege of welcoming home a hero, SSG Ryan C. Knauss, 23, from Corryton, TN. TOG Soldiers conduct Plane Side Honors at Dover Air Force base, as it is their duty to ensure the remains are transferred with with the utmost dignity and respect.
@USArmy
@MDW_USARMY
Soldiers of The Old Guard had the sacred duty of rendering honors for
@USArmy
Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins in
@ArlingtonNatl
. Adkins was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014, for his actions with
@5thForces
,
@1st_SF_Command
against an enemy in Vietnam, from March 9-12, 1966.
President Biden's first official act was to honor the fallen with a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
@ArlingtonNatl
. The Old Guard has kept the vigil every second of every day for 73 years.
#AmericasRegiment
Yesterday at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 55
#heroes
were brought a little closer to home. A little closer to their final places of rest. We here at
#TheOldGuard
anxiously await identification. Named or not, all will be honored. All will be remembered. We are The Old Guard.
#TOG
’s Tomb Guards continue to stand watch as Flowers of Remembrance Day commences at
@ArlingtonNatl
. FoR pays homage to the 1st Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, which took place in ANC in 1868 to honor the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Civil War.
Each ornament placed on
#TOG
's Christmas Tree is engraved with the name of a fallen service member laid to rest in the hallowed grounds of
@ArlingtonNatl
The ornaments bear witness to the selflessness and courage of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation
Soldiers assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), conduct Plane Side Honors at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., Jan. 5, 2018. Honors were rendered for Sgt. First Class Eugene J. Colley who's remains were brought back from Vietnam.
#StateFuneral
events for
#PresidentHWBush
began this morning on Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall with the Presidential Salute Battery and The United States Army Band. A round will fire every half hour throughout the day honoring our past president. Follow us this week for more.
Sgt. Isaac Redmond, Sentinel, places a rose at each of the four crypts of the Unknowns during his last walk ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sgt. Redmond completed his final walk after nearly 4 years of dedicated service to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Like Father like Son
#OldGuard
Soldier, Staff Sgt. Isaiah Jasso-Campagna, received the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge and made history as the second father-son duo badge holders, continuing a proud
#tradition
and
#legacy
.
(
@USArmy
📷 by Sgt. Ethan Scofield)
Soldiers of The Old Guard had the sacred duty of rendering final honors for
@USArmy
Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II in
@ArlingtonNatl
. Shurer was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions with the
@3rdSFGroup
during the Battle of Shok Valley in Afghanistan.
Flowers of Remembrance 🌹
This
#MemorialDay
weekend, members of the public were invited to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This act symbolizes our nation’s respect and gratitude for those that were willing to defend our country with their lives 🫡
#HonorTheFallen
SFC Jason Hickman, the 39th Sergeant of the Guard, conducted his final walk at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hickman honorably conducted over 1,486 changing of the guards, 71 walks, and 26 Full Honor Wreath Ceremonies. Thank you, SFC Hickman, for your patriotism and dedication
#HappeningNow
: Despite the rain,
#OldGuard
Soldiers and members from our sister services are preparing for the annual National Veterans Day Observance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
@ArlingtonNatl
.
#StayTuned
#FlagsIn
Every year, all
#TOG
Soldiers, from Regimental Commander Col. David Rowland to the newest Private, participate in this Memorial Day tradition as a way to connect with their heroes. Within 4 hours, over 260,000 U.S. flags were placed in remembrance of our nation's fallen.
TOG provided funeral honors
@ArlingtonNatl
for Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, the former commander of
@USArmy
Europe. Meigs was named after his ancestor, Quartermaster Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, the lead architect of ANC, bringing a 160 year-long connection back to where it began.
Spc. Nathan Voell, Sentinel, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) places a rose at each of the four crypts of the Unknowns during his last walk ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., April 20, 2018
Today, on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor and remember the Americans, who through their ultimate sacrifice, never returned home from combat. We remember those who were held as prisoners of war and those who have defended and preserved the American way of life.
Today is
#GoldStarSpousesDay
, when we honor the surviving spouses who lost their significant others in the line of duty. The
#OldGuard
is honored to care for your loved ones on their way to their final resting place.
Sgt. Tyler McKee conducts his last walk as a Tomb Sentinel after 28 months of honoring the Unknowns.
Upon completion of the last walk, the Sentinel participates in a rose-laying ceremony which gives them the opportunity to give their last respects to the Unknowns.
Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier require discipline, dedication, and motivation. On this
#MotivationMonday
, what motivates you?
The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, there has been a Sentinel on duty every minute of every day since 1937.
Soldiers assigned to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier maintain their constant vigil at our nation's most sacred shrine regardless of the weather. Since July 2, 1937, the Tomb has been guarded continuously, without fail, no matter the circumstance.
@ArlingtonNatl
Today, TOG had the honor of conducting military funeral honors for a true hero, SSG Ryan Knauss,
@ArlingtonNatl
. Knauss was 1 of 13 U.S. service members killed in the bombing at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go out to this hero’s family and loved ones.
This wintery weather may stop many things, but it doesn't stop The Old Guard from honoring our nation's heroes. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Laura Stephens and U.S. Army Soldier)
@MDW_USARMY
@USArmy
@ArlingtonNatl
@theusarmyband
On Friday, Cpl. Zackry Phillips, Pfc. Randy Segura, Pfc. Johnathon Porter, and Pfc. Jeffrey Potter were awarded the coveted Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge. Join us in congratulating
#TOG
's newest Tomb Guards! (
@USArmy
📸 by Cpl. Gabriel Bacchus)
U.S. Army Pvt. Floyd A. Fulmer went missing in action during World War II and was eventually declared as deceased. Now he is finally home to rest in peace. Soldiers of The Old Guard had the distinct privilege of rendering Plane Side Honors to this fallen comrade.
#Honor
#POWMIA
Yesterday marked the 31st Annual Wreaths Across America Day, where volunteers, including service members, placed wreaths at the headstones of veterans in remembrance. During the event, Tomb Guards participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
For 36 months, SGT Kamile Torres (badge
#698
) has proudly served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring our nation’s fallen heroes. During her tenure, she conducted 746 walks and 400 guard changes. Yesterday marked her last walk with the TUS platoon.
50 Gun Salute to the Union 🫡 💥
Our
#PresidentialSaluteBattery
honored our nation's independence by firing 50 artillery rounds, one for every state. This tradition preserves our country’s patriotism and ideals, as well as inspires future generations to come
#AmericasRegiment
Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country is The Old Guard’s highest calling. Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz receives Military Funeral Honors with Escort. Ortiz was KIA September 5th while deployed to Afghanistan.
@82ndABNDiv
@ArlingtonNatl
During a funeral the flag is folded into 12 separate folds, each representing a specific tribute to our country. The final fold is when the stars of the flag are uppermost with the stripes tucked in. The flag never touches the ground as a symbol of honor and respect to the colors
Today is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.
The
#OldGuard
took part in a wreath ceremony honoring and recognizing those who have lost their sons or daughters while serving their country.
Their strength and resilience serves as an inspiration to us all.
Tomorrow at 2:00pm EST,
@USArmyOldGuard
will enter
@ArlingtonNatl
and continue our tradition of placing an American flag at every gravesite throughout our Nation's most hallowed grounds. Stay tuned for updates as we honor those that have served and sacrificed for our freedom.
Join us in congratulating the 3 Soldiers who earned their Military Horseman Identification Badge, and the 8 Soldiers who graduated from Basic Horsemanship Course! (
@USArmy
📸 by Sgt. Oscar Toscano)
Proudly serving since 1784 🇺🇸
As the Army’s oldest active infantry regiment, The
#OldGuard
has evolved and maintained its readiness alongside the force. No matter the weapon or uniform,
#AmericasRegiment
has always answered the call.
(
@USArmy
🎥 by Sgt. Ethan Scofield)
The Old Guard has the solemn duty of conducting memorial affairs daily in Arlington National Cemetery. Conducting an average of 25 funerals each day, the discipline and dedication from the Soldiers represents the U.S. Army, communicating it’s story to our Nation and the world.