The Honor Guard and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In a nation built on sacrifice and service, few symbols capture the American spirit as perfectly as the Honor Guard.
At Gettysburg Flag, we’re committed to sharing stories of the best of America and the timeless symbolism of our American flags.
Today, we’re exploring what the Honor Guard represents, delve into the meaning behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and share an exclusive interview with Joe, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the Honor Guard and had the rare opportunity to both meet John F. Kennedy and guard his tomb just a couple of years later.
Understanding the Honor Guard
What is an Honor Guard?
An Honor Guard is a trained ceremonial unit tasked with representing the values of a nation. For the American Honor Guard, the highest standards are expected. After all, they are the units with a lot of exposure to civilians.
Their Duties and Purpose
The Honor Guard’s responsibilities are diverse, yet simple at the same time. They participate in military funerals, state ceremonies, and public memorials, ensuring that the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes are never forgotten.
Their presence is comforting for the families of fallen heroes and every gesture—from the folding of the flag to the silent vigil at memorials— speaks to the pride we have as a country.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
What is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Standing for the unidentified heroes who gave their lives in service, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is beyond an ordinary monument.
It symbolizes true loss for soldiers, families, and the American people, which we believe is hard to fathom.
Yet, that ultimate sacrifice is made by countless soldiers whose identities have been lost to history and that is what this monument was made for.
When was the tomb built?
Marked by a white marble sarcophagus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected in 1932 following a 1928 design competition. It has since been expanded to include the graves of unknown soldiers from World War II and the Korean War, whose markers lie between the tomb and the Memorial Amphitheater.
This memorial is part of a broader international tradition, with similar sites in countries like England, France, Canada, Portugal, and Italy, all honoring unidentified war heroes.
The unknown soldiers have been posthumously awarded prestigious honors such as the Medal of Honor and the Victoria Cross. The site is always guarded by the U.S. Army’s Old Guard, with a formal changing of the guard taking place every hour, or every half-hour during certain daylight periods.
Today, we honor the fallen, missing, and prisoners of war in some additional ways. At Gettysburg Flag, we carry POW/MIA flags which are nationally recognized flags that you can read all about with our POW/MIA origin story blog post.
We have also led the way for the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag that has skyrocketed in popularity recently.
A Veteran’s Perspective: In Their Own Words
To bring the legacy of the Honor Guard closer to home, we sat down with a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Honor Guard.
He had some great firsthand accounts that offer a glimpse into what it was like being an Honor Guard member during the Vietnam era!
Check out our interview with Joe on the GFW youtube channel!
In it, he shares what it meant to stand as a guardian of honor, recounting both the positives and negatives that came from serving his country in one of its most solemn roles.
Why It Matters Today
The traditions of the Honor Guard and the symbolism of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continue to resonate today. In an era where the pace of life is faster than ever, these institutions encourage us to pause and honor those who make our easy lives possible.
At Gettysburg Flag, our mission is intertwined with these values. Each flag we offer tells a story, from custom-made flags you can design yourself, to our highest quality American Flag.
As you explore our collection, take a look at our historical flag section for flags that have a connection to amazing historical events.