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.”
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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] |