The Tomb of the Unknowns Arlington National Cemetery Guarding the Tomb is not just an assignment, it is the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The memorial plaque at the Tomb of the Unknowns reads: Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But to God Who is the Sentinel? Stands 5 10 6 2 ; waist 30 or less Commits 2 years to guard duty Lives in barracks under amphitheater during guard shifts Spends 5 hours/day preparing uniform for guard duty During first 6 months: - Cannot watch television - Cannot talk to anyone Arlington National Cemetery was officially designated as a military cemetery on June 15, 1864 (1). Interment in the cemetery is reserved primarily for members who have served honorably in the military and their families (2). Located near the center of the cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknowns is one of Arlington s most popular sites (3). The Tomb contains the remains of unidentified soldiers from World Wars I and II, and the Korean Conflict (4). Each soldier interred in the Tomb was presented with the Medal of Honor at the time of burial (5). The medals and the American flags which draped their caskets are on display in the Memorial Amphitheater located directly behind the Tomb (6). What is a Sentinel - Since April 6, 1948, the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by the specially trained members of the 3 rd United States Infantry (1). This unit is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the US Army, serving our country continuously since 1784 (2). Based out of Fort Myer, Virginia, it is known as The Old Guard (3). The Old Guard is the Army s official Honor Guard (4). In addition to providing sentinels to guard the Tomb, this unit also escorts the President of the United States and conducts military ceremonies (5). Becoming a Sentinel - The members of The Old Guard are among the very best of the best from the US Army (1). Only those who have qualified for The Old Guard are eligible to volunteer to serve as sentinels for the Tomb (2). Fewer than 400 soldiers in the last 45 years have earned the right to guard the Tomb (3). Before a soldier is granted a walk, he must memorize seven pages of history on Arlington National Cemetery and then recite it verbatim (4). If he successfully completes this phase and is granted a walk, he becomes a new soldier in training (5). At this point he receives extensive training in the manual of arms and the guard change ceremony (6). He is also required to memorize more information about the cemetery, including the grave locations of almost 300 veterans (7). After several months the soldier may earn the right to take a written exam. If passed, he may be awarded the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge (8). If
awarded this honor, he must then serve at the Tomb for nine months before the award becomes permanent (9). The March - The sentinel marches 21 steps south across the black mat laid in front of the Tomb, past the final resting places of the unknown soldiers (1). The rifle will be placed on the shoulder facing the visitors to signify that he stands between the Tomb and any potential danger (2). The sentinel then makes a crisp 90 degree turn to face east for 21 seconds (3). He then makes a crisp 90 degree turn to face north for 21 seconds (4). A shoulder-arms movement then transfers the rifle to the shoulder nearest the visitors (5). The sentinel then paces 21 steps north, turns and repeats the march (6). The cadence is very precise and timed so that the sentinel paces at a rate of 90 steps each minute (7). The sentinel repeats this march minute-by-minute for up to an hour at a time, day and night (8). The significance of the 21 is reference to the 21- gun salute, awarded to men of valor who died in the line of duty (9). The Changing of the Guard - One of the Army s most prestigious traditions, the changing of the guard ceremony occurs once every hour in the winter time and once every half-hour in the summer time during daylight hours to provide visitors an opportunity to witness the ceremony (1). All nighttime shifts are one-hour walks (2). As the active sentry nears the end of his walk, a uniformed relief commander enters the area to announce the Changing of the Guard (3). As the next sentinel assigned leaves the guards quarters, he unlocks the bolt of his M14 rifle, indicating he is ready to begin the ceremony (4). The relief commander approaches the tomb, slowly salutes, then faces the visitors and requests silence (6). The new sentinel approaches the relief commander who conducts a methodical and precise white-glove inspection of the sentinel s weapon (7). The two then march to the center of the mat where the duty sentinel stops his walk (8). All three men salute the tomb (9). The commander then instructs the duty sentinel to, Pass on your orders (10). The duty sentinel replies, Post and orders remain as directed (11). The relieving sentinel acknowledges by stating, Orders acknowledged (12). He then steps into position at the center of the black mat (13). The new sentinel begins his walk (14). The Sentinel s Creed My dedication to this sacred duty is total and whole hearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, This soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance. Source: Arlington National Cemetery www.arlingtoncemeterty.org
READING Informational Text 1. What is the intended purpose of the passage? A to convince officers to serve as part of the Old Guard B to describe the process for the changing of the guard C to give a detailed history of Arlington National cemetery D to provide information about the guarding of the Tomb 2. Read the following sentence: Of those, only three females have met the standards and been awarded the honor to serve as sentinels. Where would the above sentence best fit if added to the text? A What is a Sentinel after sentence 4 B Becoming a Sentinel after sentence 3 C Becoming a Sentinel after sentence 7 D The Changing of the Guard after sentence 9 3. What is the main idea of the subtopic titled What is a Sentinel? A The Tomb of the Unknowns is never left unguarded. B The guards of the Tomb are members of an elite group. C The Army s Honor Guard conducts numerous ceremonies. D The Old Guard is the Army s oldest active-duty unit. 4. Based on the information presented in the passage, the reader can conclude that those who guard the Tomb are all of the following except A methodical B dedicated C creative D disciplined 5. Which word best describes the sentinel s training? A rigorous B enjoyable C confusing D effortless
6. Which statement about The Old Guard is factual? A All retired Army officers are members of The Old Guard. B Members of The Old Guard train officers new to the Army. C One must meet strict requirements to serve in The Old Guard. D All members of The Old Guard are allowed to guard the Tomb. 7. The life of a sentinel is one of great honor and great sacrifice. Which section of the text best shows the sacrifices of the sentinel? A Who is the Sentinel? B What is a Sentinel C Becoming a Sentinel D The Sentinel s Creed 8. What is the primary purpose of the section of text titled The March? A to provide a description of the Tomb B to explain the purpose of the march C to give details about the unknown soldiers D to describe the detailed precision of the march 9. The Changing of the Guard ceremony can best be described as A entertaining B mundane C dignified D complicated 10. Read the following summary of The Sentinel s Creed. The sentinel dedicates himself to carrying out his duty with honor and vows to maintain the highest standards of perfection. Regardless of the circumstances or the dangers, the sentinel will guard, protect, and respect these unknown American soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives. What important detail from The Sentinel s Creed is missing from this summary? A The sentinel commands the respect of the people. B The sentinel will never hesitate to carry out his duty. C The sentinel will rest in honored glory in the quiet night. D The sentinel remains brave and makes all soldiers proud.
READING Informational Text Grades 8 and High School Arlington National Cemetery 1. D R8 S3C1PO4 2. B R8 S3C1PO9 3. B R8 S3C1PO1 4. C R8 S3C1PO10 S1C6PO7 5. A R8 S3C1PO2 and PO10 6. C R8 S3C1PO3 7. A R8 S3C1PO9 and 10 8. D R8 S3C1PO4 9. C R8 S3C1PO10 10. B R8 S3C1PO2 Average readability: 9.5 Lexile: 1210L