4th Supreme District Tomb Trek 2016 Arlington National Cemetery
On March 8th and again on March 25th, James Brady and I met with the leadership of Arlington National Cemetery. This was due to a letter received by myself pertaining to Tomb Trek. On March 8th it was explained to us as to the intent of the letter.
Intent of the letter Manpower: Due to sequestration the Old Guard manning has decreased 30% (down to 20 sentinels). Not only guarding the Tomb, but provide ceremonial duties at the Cemetery. Safety: The streets in front and around the Tomb are very narrow. With the increase of visitors (both walking and driving), the busses crowd the street. The 4th Supreme normally has 8-10 Busses.
What was discussed for the Military Order of the Cootie And Auxiliary The leadership would like us to cut back to one wreath for the Supreme Commander and President to present. Busses would have to disembark members at a location other than the front of the Tomb. Cost of the Wreaths. We DO NOT use the funds acquired from the wreathes for anything but the upkeep, storage and transportation. US Government laws prohibit using any memorial for purposes of fund raising.
Proposals Discussed Performing one wreath laying from the Supreme Commander and President. Possibilities of using other Memorials to provide the honors to. Argonne Cross (WWI Memorial) General Pershing Grave site
On the 25th of March we met again to research and discuss the proposed new venues.
Argonne Cross (WWI) During the period from April 1920 through July 1921, the remains of many servicemen buried in Europe during World War I were disinterred. These remains were either reinterred in selected cemeteries in Europe or returned to the United States. Of these, the remains of about 2100 were reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery, specifically, in Section 18. Through the efforts of the Argonne Unit American Women's Legion, the Argonne Cross was erected to their memory and in their honor. It is situated in the southwest corner of Section 18 and faces east. A grove of 19 pine trees are on 3 sides of the Cross (North, West and South). These trees are symbolic of the Argonne Forest where many of the men fought. At the juncture of the arm and stem of the cross is carved, in low relief, an eagle and wreath. The inscription on the east side of the base reads: In memory of our men in France 1917 1918 The inscription on the west side of the base reads: Erected Through The Efforts Of The Argonne Unit American Womens Legion
Argonne Cross Section 18 PROS: Ample parking for buses nearby WWI historical location deserving of commemoration ceremony link to Cootie WWI origins Relatively level ground from parking to cross Located near grave of Edward Younger, Selector of the WWI Unknown and member of the Cooties Lay same amount of wreathes as before Can collect wreaths the same day Can take pictures with wreath near cross Cootie Color guard can directly participate Cootie bugler can play Taps Unique - ceremony at location that the Cooties can call their own WWI and Veterans day direct linkage Can move ceremony closer to Veterans Day if desired CONS: Fort Myer Child Development Center is in the background, partially obscured by trees
Pershing Gravesite Section 34 PROS: Ample parking for buses nearby Large open space for ceremony Located near drop off for Tour Trams Pershing commanded all US troops in WWI link to Cootie WWI origins Last surviving US WWI veteran interred nearby link to Cootie WWI origins Lay same amount of wreathes as before Can collect wreaths the same day Cootie Color guard can directly participate Cootie bugler can play Taps Can move ceremony closer to Veterans Day if desired CONS: Hilltop location bus drop off required to avoid walking up the hill Eventually the grounds will be used for additional graves
Gen. of the Armies John J. "Black Jack" Pershing General of the Armies John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB (Hon) (September 13, 1860 July 15, 1948), was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Pershing is the only person to be promoted in his own lifetime to the highest rank ever held in the United States Army General of the Armies (a retroactive Congressional edict passed in 1976 promoted George Washington to the same rank but with higher seniority). Pershing holds the first United States officer service number (O-1). He was regarded as a mentor by the generation of American generals who led the United States Army in Europe duringworld War II, including George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, and George S. Patton. Five-Star Officers - Generals and Admirals The five-star rank was first created on Dec. 14, 1944. Four Army general officers were promoted to general of the Army that month. Their names and dates of rank are: George C. Marshall, Dec. 16, 1944; Douglas MacArthur, Dec. 18, 1944; Dwight D. Eisenhower, Dec. 20, 1944; and Henry H. Arnold, Dec. 21, 1944. Gen. of the Army Henry H. Arnold, then with the U.S. Army Air Corps, became general of the Air Force when that service was created in 1947. Gen. of the Army Omar N. Bradley received his fifth star Sept. 20, 1950. He was the only general officer with this rank when he died in the 1980s. There were three Navy admirals promoted to five-star rank during World War II. They are: Fleet Adm. William D. Leahy, Dec. 15, 1944; Fleet Adm. Ernest J. King, Dec. 17, 1944; and Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Dec. 19, 1944. Adm. William F. Halsey Jr., received his fifth star Dec. 11, 1945, three months after World War II ended. Note: only two Americans were awarded a rank above five stars: Gen. of the Armies John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, Arlington National Cemetery; and Gen. of the Armies George Washington, Mount Vernon, Virginia (President Washington's was awarded retroactively).
Other items Arlington National Cemetery will provide: Some folding chairs for those that cannot stand Mat on the ground for those in wheel chairs Podium for Emcee Staff member to ensure we are in proper decorum.
(proposed) Sunday 8:00-9:00 - Memorial Service (In Hotel) 9:00-9:30 - Load Busses 9:30 Depart for Arlington 10:00 Arrive at Memorial 10:30 Begin Laying wreathes 11:30 Conclude with TAPS 11:35 Load Busses (2 for Tomb, 6 for Hotel) 11:45 Arrive Tomb of the Unknown 12:15 Supreme Commander/President Lay Wreath at Tomb 12:30 Depart for Hotel 12:45 Arrive Hotel
What we need to decide Argonne Cross - General Pershing - A Single Wreath Further Date (revert to weekend prior to Veterans Day) VFW Rep needed? (VFW Auxiliary doesn't provide one) Providing beds for Supreme Honor Guard Re-establish Tomb Trek Security for crowd control Provide for a bugler. (Delaware has one, Arkansas too!) Funds: 2016- $5.00 from the registrant of each wreath will be moved to the registration line item. 2017- Registration $25.00 (advanced)/$30.00 (onsite) ; Wreathes $20.00