[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 396 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 396
Commemorating the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 29, 2021
Mr. Moran (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cotton,
Mr. Braun, and Mr. Warnock) submitted the following resolution; which
was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Whereas Congress, in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328), directed the Secretary of Defense to take
appropriate action in observing the centennial of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier as a historical event to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the selection and burial of an unknown solider from the
United States, who fell in France during World War I, and honoring the
service and sacrifice of millions of veterans;
Whereas, the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been
preparing for the commemoration of the centennial of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier for several years working alongside Arlington National
Cemetery, veteran service organizations, foreign allies, civic
associations, Congressional partners, and private citizens to
commemorate and educate the United States about the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier;
Whereas the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was intended to represent more than just
a single conflict, serving as a focal point for the United States
regardless of race, creed, or politics where the people of the United
States can come together as a single Nation to mourn and honor the
fallen soldiers from the United States;
Whereas it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Veterans Day, which
was established to pay tribute to individuals who have served and
sacrificed on behalf of the United States in times of war or armed
conflict, and their families;
Whereas greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation of those loyal
people of the United States whose values, represented by their
sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States;
Whereas each citizen of the United States has a responsibility to raise
awareness of and respect for the national heritage of the United States
and to encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and
principles for which those heroes of the United States died;
Whereas, on October 24, 1921, in accordance with an act of Congress, the World
War I Unknown Soldier was selected in Chalons-sur-Marne, France;
Whereas the World War I Unknown Soldier was protected, honored, and revered by
the people of France who presented their nation's highest award for
valor upon this unknown warrior from the United States;
Whereas, on October 25, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier began the final
difficult journey home aboard the historic USS Olympia through the
remnants of 2 hurricanes;
Whereas, on November 9, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier arrived at the
historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and lay in state at
the United States Capitol;
Whereas, on November 11, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier was finally laid
to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier after being conferred the Medal of Honor and other medals of
valor from allies of the United States;
Whereas, on May 15, 1958, the Korean War Unknown Soldier was selected at the
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, to represent all of
the fallen and missing from that war;
Whereas, on May 26, 1958, the World War II Unknown Soldier was selected at sea
aboard the USS Canberra off of the coast of the State of Virginia, to
represent all of the fallen and missing from that war;
Whereas, on May 30, 1958, the World War II and Korean War Unknown Soldiers were
buried in individual crypts next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
after having the Medal of Honor conferred upon them;
Whereas, on May 17, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was designated at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to represent all of the fallen and missing from
that war;
Whereas, on May 28, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was buried in an
individual crypt, between the World War II and Korean War Unknown
Soldier, next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after being conferred
the Medal of Honor;
Whereas, on May 14, 1998, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier was disinterred and
later identified as Captain Michael J. Blassie, and buried under his own
name at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri;
Whereas on National POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 17, 1999, the empty
Vietnam War Unknown Soldier crypt was rededicated to ``Honoring and
Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen'' as a reminder of the
commitment of the Armed Forces to fullest possible accounting of missing
service members;
Whereas the United States Army has provided Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier since March 25th, 1926, and maintained a constant 24-hour vigil
since midnight July 2nd, 1937; and
Whereas the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are responsible for
maintaining the highest standards of the military of the United States
while keeping a constant vigil at this national shrine, and have a
special duty to prevent any desecration or disrespect directed towards
the Tomb of the Unknown Solder: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier on leading the commemoration of the Centennial
of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
(2) encourages all people of the United States to
participate in fitting acts of remembrance such as designating
special places in their gardens as ``Never Forget'' gardens
which will serve as living tributes to all of the veterans of
the United States and their families, observing a 2-minute
period of silence in commemoration, the playing of taps, or
attending commemoration events with allies of the United States
on October 24 and 25, 2021 in France or in Washington, D.C. on
November 9 and 11, 2021; and
(3) encourages the attendance of Veterans' Day ceremonies,
visitation of veteran cemeteries and memorials, and the
honoring of the American Flag.
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