Washingtonian.com - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Has Opened to the Public for the First Time in Almost 100 Years



Arlington National Cemetery has opened up the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the public for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can walk around and lay flowers on the memorial in this special two-day event before Veterans Day.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, visitors can walk on the plaza and lay flowers in front of the Tomb. The privilege is typically given only to members of "The Old Guard," or sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment who stand watch at the memorial.

The memorial will be open from 9 AM-4 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. Visitors must register for the event, bring a government-issued ID, and are encouraged to bring their own single-stem flowers. But complimentary roses, gerbera daisies, and sunflowers will be distributed.

Thank you.

I have to confess my first thought was: Wait! The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has not been around for 100 years...I mean the first burial was after WW1 and that ended in 1919."

....oh right we are in 2021.

My other thought was the sad thought that it was insightful that they left space for further additions.

May there be no need for further additions to this memorial. 

I'm confused.  I've been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier many times and watched the guard change many times growing up.  I didn't know it wasn't open to the public.

Quote from: Anianna on November 10, 2021, 01:49:10 PM
I'm confused.  I've been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier many times and watched the guard change many times growing up.  I didn't know it wasn't open to the public.

Technically the tomb is open. It is an exposed plaza.

But people are not allowed to walk on the plaza. The plaza is off limits to tourists and is guarded 24/7 by members of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Old Guard".

This is the first time people are allowed to walk on the plaza and place flowers and pay respect on the Plaza since the guards were initiated in 1926.

Quote from: Raptor on November 10, 2021, 02:31:24 PM

Quote from: Anianna on November 10, 2021, 01:49:10 PM
I'm confused.  I've been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier many times and watched the guard change many times growing up.  I didn't know it wasn't open to the public.

Technically the tomb is open. It is an exposed plaza.

But people are not allowed to walk on the plaza. The plaza is off limits to tourists and is guarded 24/7 by members of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Old Guard".

This is the first time people are allowed to walk on the plaza and place flowers and pay respect on the Plaza since the guards were initiated in 1926.

Are they retiring the guard or will they still be there?

Quote from: Anianna on November 10, 2021, 02:51:07 PM

Quote from: Raptor on November 10, 2021, 02:31:24 PM

Quote from: Anianna on November 10, 2021, 01:49:10 PM
I'm confused.  I've been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier many times and watched the guard change many times growing up.  I didn't know it wasn't open to the public.

Technically the tomb is open. It is an exposed plaza.

But people are not allowed to walk on the plaza. The plaza is off limits to tourists and is guarded 24/7 by members of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Old Guard".

This is the first time people are allowed to walk on the plaza and place flowers and pay respect on the Plaza since the guards were initiated in 1926.

Are they retiring the guard or will they still be there?

The article at the top of the thread explains that this is just a 2-day thing: 

Quote
On Tuesday and Wednesday, visitors can walk on the plaza and lay flowers in front of the Tomb. The privilege is typically given only to members of "The Old Guard," or sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment who stand watch at the memorial.
The memorial will be open from 9 AM-4 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. Visitors must register for the event, bring a government-issued ID, and are encouraged to bring their own single-stem flowers. But complimentary roses, gerbera daisies, and sunflowers will be distributed.

Ah, thanks.  I had misread the link as Washington Post, which is generally behind a paywall, so I didn't bother opening it.