This week’s Borne the Battle features Army Veteran Gavin McIlvenna, who talks about the selection process of becoming and walking as a tomb guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; he then shares about his own mentors, how he founded the Society of the Honor Guard, shares crazy guard stories and the process of disinterring a Veteran at the tomb.

Roughly 130,000 visitors toured Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day pre-COVID. This year may be different, but it is still an important occasion for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Memorial Day seeks to honor those who have fallen while serving our country, and the Unknown Soldiers are no different.

On November 11, 2021, Arlington National Cemetery will be commemorating the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The centennial is not only a day to celebrate and remember the burial of the World War One’s Unknown Soldier but to reflect on what the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier means to the nation.

McIlvenna breaks down the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and how the tomb doesn’t represent just one conflict; it represents all conflicts, the significance and purpose behind the upcoming events for centennial and where Americans can find information on these events and projects.

Lastly, McIIvenna talks about the first VA facility to have a never forget me garden, why every American should visit the tomb, and how communities can get involved in the centennial and learn about a unique part of its history and why the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is important to so many gold star families and Veterans.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• The Veteran in your life that is no longer with you. 

Additional links:

• VA to readjudicate Veteran and survivor claims for possible herbicide exposure
• VA expands COVID-19 vaccinations to adolescents under SAVE LIVES Act
• https://www.legion.org/yourwords/personal-experiences/248893/tomb-unknown-soldier
• Commemorating the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, DAR Members and Chapters Encouraged to Plan Now for 2021 Observance
• What you need to know about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Marks 100 Years