2010 Washington DC
Field Trip
By Neal Putnam
The Alpine Sun
100 excited 8th graders and parent
chaperones departed on March 27 from San Diego to our Nation’s
capital for an amazing 8-day adventure. The first morning was
spent at Arlington National Cemetery where four students
presented a flower wreath in a special ceremony. At Arlington,
the group also witnessed the ritual “21 steps” of the guards and
the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, saw the Eternal Flame at JFK’s gravesite, and the
Challenger Memorial.
The tour proceeded to visit the famous memorials and
monuments such as the Lincoln, Vietnam, World War II, and
Jefferson Memorials amongst others. As the participants read the
words inscribed on these memorials, they could not help but feel
pride and wonder at the heroic contributions made by war
veterans and our founding fathers. Other attractions that
allowed the participants to touch American history and learn
about our government were the U.S. Capitol Building, the
National Archives to see the original Declaration of
Independence and Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. The
Smithsonian Institution was a highlight where they saw the Hope
Diamond, touched a meteorite, and learned about flight and much
more.
In Philadelphia the participants saw the famous
“Liberty Bell”, Independence Hall and Congress Hall, and then on
to tour Gettysburg and the battlefields. Perhaps the most
exciting part of the trip for some was the two-day visit to New
York City to see all the famous sights there such as Ground
Zero, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and a performance of a
Broadway show, “In the Heights”, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Many
students raised money to pay for their trips through various
kinds of fundraising. For all this was a rewarding experience to
be remembered and cherished for years to come.
The following is John Sjoquist’s winning essay
regarding the Washington DC Trip’s the Wreath Laying ceremony:
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
When people think of the greatest memorials, they often
think of the Vietnam Wall, the WW1-2 memorials and the
President’s Memorials. However, not too often do they think of
what is probably the most tribunal memorial in existence. The
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a captivating memorial dedicated
to preserve and remember the souls of the soldiers who died in
the Two World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War without
a name.
This memorial was built in 1931 by Thomas Hudson Jones
and Lorimer Rich as a replacement for the original tomb, which
was just a small plinth. It was opened in Arlington National
Cemetery on April 9, 1932 without any ceremonies. In 1926, an
armed military guard was assigned to the original crypt because
too many people were defacing it. Since then, there has been a
continuous guard 24/7.
The tomb itself has a special meaning not only in the
tribute it produces, but in the symbols inscribed on it. On the
sides of the tomb, there are Greek figures to represent one of
the many values of a valorous warrior. In the center there is a
female figure that represents Victory. On the right side, a male
figure symbolizes Valor. On the left side is Peace, with a palm
branch to reward the soldiers’ devotion and sacrifice. The sides
are divided into three panels. In each panel is an inverted
wreath. On the rear panel, this quote is inscribed, HERE RESTS
IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD. The tomb
is arranged with one raised tomb and three flush slab tombs in
the front of it. In order to maintain this beautiful sight, a
dedicated guard is required.
The honor guards of the tomb are rigorously
trained in order to give the unknowns the service they deserve.
The meticulous ceremony of “Walking the Mat” has a very
important meaning. The number 21 is very important because it
alludes to the 21 gun salute, which is the highest honor given
in a military setting. For thirty minutes a day, the guard walks
21 steps across the tomb, turns to face the tomb for 21 seconds,
then turns to face across the tomb, waits 21 more seconds, then
repeats until the Changing of the Guard. The guards are hand
picked and highly trained to do their duty.
There are many reasons why I would like to be a part of
the wreath laying ceremony. First, it is a memorable experience
that would be very meaningful to me. It would allow me to be a
part of history and I would gain a much deeper appreciation of
what our country stand for. I am currently very interested in
past wars such as the two World Wars. It would be a national
achievement as I am a Boy Scout. Not only would this be an
accomplishment as a Boy Scout, but as a citizen of this country.
“My experience at the laying of the wreath ceremony was
unforgettable. Although I was nervous knowing 2000 or more
people were watching as we walked towards the tomb, I had a
strong feeling inside that I was actually a part of something
much bigger in life and it would be a once in a lifetime
experience.” by John Sjoquist
The following is Ryan Ramos’ winning essay about the Wreath
Laying ceremony:
Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony
I am writing this essay in the hopes that I will be
selected to represent my school, my family, and my country in
the once in a lifetime opportunity of participating in the
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery. I
have a family history that includes four generations of men who
have served for our country’s armed forces. Both my great
grandfathers were in the U. S. Navy for over thirty years,
fighting in World War II and the Korean War. My great uncle, who
served in the Marines, lost his leg during the Korean War.
Another great uncle served in the National Guard while going to
college during the Vietnam War. My grandfather served in the
Navy during the Korean War. My father was in the Army in the
early 1980’s and was stationed in Korea on the Demilitarized
Zone. And my brother, Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Ramos, has
served in the U.S. Navy for the last ten years and is currently
at sea on the USS Jefferson City Submarine fighting in the
Afghanistan War. It would be an honor to represent the courage
and sacrifice of these family members, as well as all of the
other men and women who serve or have served in America’s Armed
Forces, during this ceremony.
As you may know, the Arlington National Cemetery honors
American servicemen who died at war with no identification. What
you may not know is that it was founded on March 4, 1921 when
U.S. Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American
soldier from WWI. It was designed by Lorimer Rich and was
sculpted out of white marble by Thomas Hudson Jones. Sculpted in
the east panel, which faces Washington D.C., are three Greek
figures that represent peace, victory, and valor. Inscribed in
the western panel is a quote “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN
AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD.” The six wreaths carved into
the north and south panels of the tomb represent the six major
battles of WWI. In the pavement west of the WWI Unknown tomb are
the crypts of the Unknowns from WWII (south), the Korean War
(north), and the Vietnam War (middle). The original inscription
of the Vietnam crypt was changed to “Honoring and Keeping Faith
with America’s Missing Servicemen” after the remains of the
Vietnam Unknown were identified in 1998. Each of the Unknowns
received the “Medal of Honor,” which reminds us of the heroism
of all who have served with unknown acts of courage and
sacrifice.
It is considered a high honor to serve as a ceremonial
guard of the tomb. The guards have a ritual where they walk 21
steps across the tomb, turn and face the tomb for 21 seconds,
turn back to the direction they came from and switch their
weapon to the outside shoulder, wait 21 seconds, and walk 21
steps back. They repeat this ritual over and over until relieved
of their duty (an hour in the fall and winter, and a half hour
in the spring and summer). Their 21 steps and waiting time
represent the 21 Gun Salute, which is the highest honor given to
any military serviceman in America. The tomb has been guarded
24/7 since July 2, 1937, in all weather.
I’m really looking forward to watching the 21
step ritual of the guards, hearing the tapping of their metal
plated shoes, and seeing the tomb and the crypts of the Unknown
Soldiers. It would be a privilege to be a part of the wreath
laying ceremony. I would like to participate in honoring the men
and women who have defended and still defend today our freedom
in America.
"I thought that being in the wreath laying ceremony was
very memorable. It was something I will never take part in
again. Writing the essay about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
really helped me to understand what the ritual was all about.
I'm glad that they picked me to represent Joan MacQueen Middle
School in the ceremony." — Ryan Ramos
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