Tomb of the Unknown visits Lincoln

[September 15, 2021]   On Monday, September 13th, the Abraham Lincoln Daughters of the American Revolution opened a special exhibit at the American Legion in Lincoln with a special Call to Honor Ceremony.

The ceremony was scripted to celebrate the arrival of a traveling replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia. The replica is a scale model created and accompanied in its travels by the Exchange Club of Rome, Georgia.

The Exchange Club commissioned the replica with a well-known Georgia artist and sculptor Chuck Schmult.

The local DAR, which is officially named the Abraham Lincoln Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. According to Reagent Marge Aper the idea to bring the replica monument to Lincoln came last year from the club treasurer who suggested it as part of their anniversary celebration.

Aper said the Exchange Club was contacted and in no time at all, Lincoln was on the schedule.

The Monday ceremony began with an invocation by member Jeannie Xamis and opening remarks by Aper. The American Legion Post 263 Color Guard performed the Presentation of Color and Lesleigh Bennett sang the National Anthem.

Marilyn Craig led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, Linda Churchill read the American’s Creed and Gail Apel-Sasse read the Preamble to the Constitution.

The city of Lincoln had approved a proclamation designating the week of September 13th through 17th, Constitution Week. Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch was read the proclamation aloud and presented it to the DAR.

Bill King with the Exchange Club spoke next saying that the club has a good relationship with many units of the DAR. He said that the organization chapters are among those who most request the tomb exhibits and he appreciates their dedication to sharing this special exhibit within their communities.

King read aloud the Sentinels Creed and spoke briefly about the young soldiers who guard the tomb in Arlington. He said their call is to protect the tomb “24/7/365 including standing watch through two hurricanes.” He said that the sentinels take very seriously their calling and serve with great selflessness.

He concluded saying that he learned a saying years ago that he uses often. “Soldiers never die until they are forgotten.” He added, “With this tomb, they will never be forgotten.”

Following King there were two laying of wreath events. The first was done by the Illinois State DAR reagent Deborah Coe and the State Service to Veterans Committee Chair Terry Mecklenberg, setting a wreath on behalf of the DAR.

The second wreath was placed by Shirley Winterbaur of the American Legion Post 263 Auxiliary, representing the American Legion Post.

Aper thanked guests for their attendance, noted that a reception would be held with refreshments served in the smaller meeting room at the Legion. Guests were also invited to take the walk around the tomb after the program. She then called on Xamis to deliver the benediction.

Following the pray, King along with Wain Bates, also with the Exchange Club played taps with echoing trumpets.

In 1921 the United States Congress approved a burial location for an unknown American Solider who lost his life during World War I. The result was a marble lined grave where the remains were buried. In that year, four unknown soldiers were placed in the grave.

In 1931 an above ground monument was begun when the mining of a 56 ton marble block from Marble, Colorado.

The tomb was originally named the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. Later the tomb would be renamed The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The original tomb is the designated location of the remains of the unknown soldiers of World War I. In consequent years, additional slabs were added to the memorial under which lies the unknown remains of soldiers from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

On the facing side of the tomb, visible from the amphitheater at Arlington, it is carved in the marble “Here rests in honored glory and American Soldier known but to God.”

The replica tomb is also carved of marble, but with special design details such as retractable wheels that make it possible to move the monument. It is intricately carved and is an exact replica of the monument at Arlington.

The monument will remain on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Wednesday, September 15th). The community is encouraged to stop by the exhibit and visit with Bates and King about the monument and its significance in our history.

[Nila Smith]