[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6786-S6787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 396--COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE DEDICATION 
   OF THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

  Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cotton, 
Mr. Braun, and Mr. Warnock) submitted the following resolution; which 
was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 396

       Whereas Congress, in the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328), directed the 
     Secretary of Defense to take appropriate action in observing 
     the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a 
     historical event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 
     selection and burial of an unknown solider from the United 
     States, who fell in France during World War I, and honoring 
     the service and sacrifice of millions of veterans;
       Whereas, the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the 
     Unknown Soldier has been preparing for the commemoration of 
     the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for

[[Page S6787]]

     several years working alongside Arlington National Cemetery, 
     veteran service organizations, foreign allies, civic 
     associations, Congressional partners, and private citizens to 
     commemorate and educate the United States about the Tomb of 
     the Unknown Soldier;
       Whereas the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was intended to 
     represent more than just a single conflict, serving as a 
     focal point for the United States regardless of race, creed, 
     or politics where the people of the United States can come 
     together as a single Nation to mourn and honor the fallen 
     soldiers from the United States;
       Whereas it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of 
     Veterans Day, which was established to pay tribute to 
     individuals who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the 
     United States in times of war or armed conflict, and their 
     families;
       Whereas greater strides must be made to demonstrate 
     appreciation of those loyal people of the United States whose 
     values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the 
     future of the United States;
       Whereas each citizen of the United States has a 
     responsibility to raise awareness of and respect for the 
     national heritage of the United States and to encourage 
     citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and principles 
     for which those heroes of the United States died;
       Whereas, on October 24, 1921, in accordance with an act of 
     Congress, the World War I Unknown Soldier was selected in 
     Chalons-sur-Marne, France;
       Whereas the World War I Unknown Soldier was protected, 
     honored, and revered by the people of France who presented 
     their nation's highest award for valor upon this unknown 
     warrior from the United States;
       Whereas, on October 25, 1921, the World War I Unknown 
     Soldier began the final difficult journey home aboard the 
     historic USS Olympia through the remnants of 2 hurricanes;
       Whereas, on November 9, 1921, the World War I Unknown 
     Soldier arrived at the historic Washington Navy Yard in 
     Washington, D.C. and lay in state at the United States 
     Capitol;
       Whereas, on November 11, 1921, the World War I Unknown 
     Soldier was finally laid to rest in Arlington National 
     Cemetery in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after being 
     conferred the Medal of Honor and other medals of valor from 
     allies of the United States;
       Whereas, on May 15, 1958, the Korean War Unknown Soldier 
     was selected at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 
     in Hawaii, to represent all of the fallen and missing from 
     that war;
       Whereas, on May 26, 1958, the World War II Unknown Soldier 
     was selected at sea aboard the USS Canberra off of the coast 
     of the State of Virginia, to represent all of the fallen and 
     missing from that war;
       Whereas, on May 30, 1958, the World War II and Korean War 
     Unknown Soldiers were buried in individual crypts next to the 
     Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after having the Medal of Honor 
     conferred upon them;
       Whereas, on May 17, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier 
     was designated at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to represent all of 
     the fallen and missing from that war;
       Whereas, on May 28, 1984, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier 
     was buried in an individual crypt, between the World War II 
     and Korean War Unknown Soldier, next to the Tomb of the 
     Unknown Soldier after being conferred the Medal of Honor;
       Whereas, on May 14, 1998, the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier 
     was disinterred and later identified as Captain Michael J. 
     Blassie, and buried under his own name at the Jefferson 
     Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri;
       Whereas on National POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 
     17, 1999, the empty Vietnam War Unknown Soldier crypt was 
     rededicated to ``Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's 
     Missing Servicemen'' as a reminder of the commitment of the 
     Armed Forces to fullest possible accounting of missing 
     service members;
       Whereas the United States Army has provided Sentinels at 
     the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since March 25th, 1926, and 
     maintained a constant 24-hour vigil since midnight July 2nd, 
     1937; and
       Whereas the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are 
     responsible for maintaining the highest standards of the 
     military of the United States while keeping a constant vigil 
     at this national shrine, and have a special duty to prevent 
     any desecration or disrespect directed towards the Tomb of 
     the Unknown Solder: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the 
     Unknown Soldier on leading the commemoration of the 
     Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
       (2) encourages all people of the United States to 
     participate in fitting acts of remembrance such as 
     designating special places in their gardens as ``Never 
     Forget'' gardens which will serve as living tributes to all 
     of the veterans of the United States and their families, 
     observing a 2-minute period of silence in commemoration, the 
     playing of taps, or attending commemoration events with 
     allies of the United States on October 24 and 25, 2021 in 
     France or in Washington, D.C. on November 9 and 11, 2021; and
       (3) encourages the attendance of Veterans' Day ceremonies, 
     visitation of veteran cemeteries and memorials, and the 
     honoring of the American Flag.

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