Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier Analysis

Throughout the years, there have been thousands of American soldiers killed in battle. Out of these thousands, there are some that are unidentified and unknown. This means that the families of these soldiers are never able to see their son or daughter ever again. To honor these unidentified soldiers, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created in Arlington National Cemetery in 1921. On top of this hill, this monument contains the remains of unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The tomb is guarded twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. It has been guarded every minute of every day since 1937. Photographer D. Myles Cullen captured one of these tomb guards in action. This visual depicts this tomb guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is significant because it honors the many soldiers that have died in war without being identified.

It is obvious in this photograph that this soldier is taking great pride in guarding the Tomb of the Unknown. The first thing noticed when looking at this photograph from D. Myles Cullen is the white marble sarcophagus, or stone coffin. This is located in the very center of the photograph and is an important and well-respected monument. Engraved on the sarcophagus are the words

“HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD.” This contains the remains of an unidentified American soldier from World War I. This tomb is not only the main focus and center of this photograph; it also serves as a highly visited sight. Many people come every day just to honor these unknown soldiers. On the ground in front of this white marble headstone are three more unknown graves. These are the graves of the soldiers of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. These are also made of white marble, but are not as noticeable as the main tombstone as they lay flat on the ground. These are rectangular in shape and are spaced out equally. Surrounding these three markers is the tile-like brick that makes up the “plaza” or open space in front of the tomb. Directly in front of all the four of the unknowns is a wreath. On this wreath are red, white, and blue flowers along with a blue ribbon. I would assume this wreath is there to honor the soldiers on Memorial Day.
Another very noticeable subject of this picture is the soldier. He looks very professional and looks as if he takes great pride in guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He is wearing the uniform that is known as the Army Dress Blues. These uniforms are a reenactment of those worn in the 1800s. The uniforms are of similar color and style. These uniforms are worn by the Army as formal wear, but these soldiers known as the Honor Guard wear these uniforms all the time while on guard duty. In this image you can that this guard is also carrying a M-14 rifle and is in the middle of his walk. As stated in Stars and Stripes, the walk consists of the soldier marching 21 steps in front of the tomb, then stops and faces east for 21 seconds. The guard then faces north for 21 seconds and takes 21 steps back. The number 21 is significant because it symbolizes the military’s highest honor: the 21-gun salute. This walk is done on a long black mat which cannot be seen in this photograph. These walks last thirty minutes during summer days and an hour during nights and winter before the guards switch. The changing of guards is something that many people come to watch. The crowd is always completely silent while this is happening.
These Honor Guards have to go through a lot of hard training to get the honor of being able to walk the plaza. In Stars and Stripes, former medic Luke Porter describes what it takes to become one. First, one wanting to become a guard has to memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history and Honor Guard general and specific orders. This is a verbal test and must be recited one page at a time, down to the exact punctuation, to a senior trainer. This is only the first test though. They also have a uniform check and everything must be very precise. They have to be within one sixty-fourth of an inch of the regulations. The ultimate goal or honor is to receive the prestigious Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge. It is the Army’s second least awarded badge. The guards take great pride and honor in their work as they put so much time into becoming one of the ten percent who actually become a tomb guard.
Not only does the tomb mean so much to these guards, but it also appeals to the emotions of the public.

This is known as pathos and is apparent in this photograph. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a very powerful place and this is why so many visitors come to visit each year. They want to come pay their respects to the soldiers fighting overseas as well as those that have been killed in action. Especially those who are unknown and whose family will never see again. This photograph also contains ethos as it comes from a credible source. This image was found on the website of the U.S. Army. The Army is a trustworthy source and by this it just makes this picture more important and

believable.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is definitely one of the most important monuments for the military in America. D. Myles Cullen’s photograph is used to show the pride that the guards take in their work and honor all of the unidentified soldiers killed in action. The tomb has been and is guarded at all times no matter what the conditions are and will continue to be guarded for as long as the Honor Guard stays in action.