Why do we guard the grave of an Unknown Soldier?
War has always taken our best and brightest when they are too young, with their entire life ahead of them. Families of fallen servicemen need to have closure. . . so they can move past their grief and loss. With the lethality of modern weapons, identifying the bodies of our warriors was more difficult in the past, and many times the military could not provide families with positive identification. Their pain continued as they wondered about their loved one.
The unknown soldiers buried in the Plaza represent the missing and unknown service members for four different wars. Being buried at Arlington gives these families a place to grieve and pray. We stand watch over their graves in humble reverence, ensuring they rest in peace. These Americans have not only given their lives, but their identities for our freedom and way of life.
I am proud to have been able to stand watch over their graves, and I feel a closer bond with the veterans of these wars. Knowing that their sacrifice will not be forgotten as they are guarded by the young men and women of our nation, makes me very proud to be an American.