Following tradition, President-Elect Donald J Trump and Vice-President Elect JD Vance place wreaths at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary.
Wearing a long overcoat and gloves in the rainy, cold weather, President Trump placed a wreath on an easel at the tomb. He stood silently for a moment before Vice President-elect JD Vance did the same. After the wreaths were placed, a soldier played “Taps,” the sound echoing through the hallowed burial grounds. A somber event. WATCH:
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier serves as a symbolic grave for all war dead whose remains have not been found or identified. It began with one unknown service member from World War I and now has the remains of three unidentified service members.
President Trump then heads to an inauguration rally at Capital One Arena, blocks from the National Mall. This will be his first address in Washington, D.C., since the election in November. The president-elect will end his day by attending a candlelight dinner with supporters.
In keeping with the mournful occasion, First Lady Melania Trump chose a double-breasted black Dior cape-like coat and knee-high Christian Louboutin boots.
A noble and solemn ceremony.
The most humbling graves in Normandy and other overseas memorials are engraven thusly:
Here lies in honored glory a comrade in arms, known but to God.
Can’t even write it without my eyes getting dusty.
“No one has greater love than to lay down his own life for his friends” is from John 15:13
I can only imagine…
Hate to start this post about such a solemn event with the awful word “I”, but ….
I’ve become such a “little girl” in my old age. I cry a lot over these things, in my heart or misty eyes. I’m not sure how to express this, but for whatever reason, I have thought about the recent dead of my son and daughter’s generation, of my own cold war generation, Korea, and WWII. SO many lives sacrificed in America’s wars. We’ve parroted the common colloquialism that “freedom doesn’t come free”, or something that American’s have always agreed that such sacrifices were the cost of freedom. There haven’t always been alternatives, but now we know, many times these youth and treasure sacrifices were not quite unavoidable.
Maybe it’s just more media. I’ve listened to Shawn Ryan’s podcasts, and others by WOT vets, and vets from other conflicts. (Read few books, too. It’s a new thing …) Lately, it’s just been on my mind and heavy on my heart. So much tragedy. So many young lives lost, their future hopes, never realized. So many young widows and orphans. So many families destroyed, with a post-war hole in them that can never be filled.
I just watched “Band of brothers” for the first time in over a decade. I am a “boomer”, raised on the details of WWII. I personally met and knew heroes, i.e. a Marine Colonel who began his life of service with the Bataan death march, and 4 years in Japanese POW camps. Two of my dad’s fishing buddies were veterans of the famous Japanese-American 442nd infantry regiment. Band of Brothers was just a well done movie series, and I frequently watched it Memorial day weekends. During the WOT, I couldn’t watch it any more. Getting past the first DVD disk (i.e. yep, ol’ school here) was just too difficult.
I can’t watch war movies anymore, including those I feel I should watch just to honor the hero’s who died (e.g. Blackhawk Down). Too much sacrifice, too much sorrow. Of course, I lost buddies in the Navy, too, but I wasn’t “tip of the spear” – just no comparison.
Honoring “the unknown soldier” is a tradition, an honor, keeping a promise to all of those who died, who didn’t make it home, who realized no fanfare, whose grave may not even be found. These men were people, with families, schools, friends, lovers – people who mattered in this world. Yet, the DNA of America’s finest are buried on dusty trails in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin and South America, and in oceans all over this world, unknown, unremembered.
Except for today. Today, America honors them. It isn’t enough, but it’s what we can do. Remember the unremembered, those lost to time and history. God bless them all, and I hope to meet most of them in heaven, to tell them thanks, in person.
I haven’t forgotten them. I never will. The known and unknown American heroes, who secured MY freedom and future generations. They gave us Ben Franklin’s chance, i.e. “… it’s a republic, if we can keep it”. Tears.
As soldiers we all give the same oath to the Constitution of the United States of America, when we fight it is for our brothers on our left and on our right.
Great post! Thank you! 🙏
Today I think about my Dad and Uncles who all served in WWII or Korea.
What a beautifully said tribute, OldSaltUSNR. I watched today’s honoring of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and tears came to my eyes. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
When I was little, I thought when my Dad and my uncles woke up yelling in the night, that they were just having bad dreams.
‘Not quite unavoidable’ ought to be remembered and taught everywhere. Well said.
The last men who want to go to war are those who returned from it.
Those are stories not told, just glimpsed in the dreams of the survivors.
The last men who want to go to war? Not here, rather one who has been, than a green head.
Bravo Zulu OldSalt
That was beautiful. Thank you.
So elegantly stated, Old Salt. Your heartfelt sincerity is felt in every word. Thank you for remembering, and thank you for reminding us all of the debt we owe these young men who gave all. Tears, indeed. God bless.
Band of Brothers was excellent. Great post………
Every day, honour, never ever forget.
Never forget that visit to Normandy. Small wonder they were known as the Greatest Generation.
That’s beautiful. And yes, it made my eyes leak a little, as well. 🙏
And I can’t read it for the same reason. I have been there and seen the memorials to our fallen heroes.
I watched it on TV. It was very moving.
My heart was just ripped apart watching the brave veteran who was part of the ceremony.
May God Bless, protect, comfort, and bring peace to him, all veterans and active military, along with their families.
That was Marine veteran Tyler Vargas-Andrews. Wounded at the August 26 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal cluster F. Lost his right arm and left leg from that. Endured 43 surgeries.
Watching him struggle to maintain his composure during Taps almost caused me break down
Semper Fi
Wonderful gesture. Especially considering how he got in that situation. No use for the reason. Thank you PDJT.
Yes indeed, thank you!
Thank you for that information. I wondered who the two people were other than President Trump and VP.
I was wondering who he was…thank you…I don’t know what to say…(I do but its not the time nor place).
May God always be with him and those around him, family and friends.
Thank you so much for letting us all know who this brave Marine veteran is.
I send my prayer to Almighty God….
Heavenly Father, please keep Marine veteran Tyler Vargas-Andrews, and his family, safe in Your Loving Embrace.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thank you – I was wondering who he was. I was absolutely amazed at his climbing the steps back up easily despite his limitations without assistance after the completion of the ceremony. And, yes, our hearts hung heavy at the gravity and beauty of the ceremony. Such a great ending to see him climb the steps that way – lifted my spirits. Yes, it did. It said volumes about our abilities to overcome what the enemy throws at us. Thank You – Marine Veteran Tyler Vargus-Andrews and the countless others who have served and continue to serve our Country.
Who was the girl?
Is she the mother of one of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan? I wanted to know also but could not find any reference.
Fox chyron said Gold Star families were accompanying President Trump and VP Vance. So I believe she was family of one of our brave military who gave all.
Such an unnecessary sacrifice those Marines, Sailors and Soldiers had to make 8/26/21. (Plus an uncounted number of civilians killed in the crowd.) All because of the incompetence and cowardice of their civilian and senior military leaders.
Those American sons and daughters should never have been at that gate. The bomber should never have gotten close to that gate. The chaos and betrayals could all have been prevented.
Thank you for saying who it was. Very appropriate for him to be there.
Yes…and we complain about the cold….suddenly, it seems tolerable.
“Some gave all. All gave some.” Those words echoed in my brain as I watched that wounded warrior move to do one more duty.
PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!! PRESIDENT of this Great Republic and of the Free World!!! God bless and protect PRESIDENT TRUMP and this great Nation!! MAGA!
Beautiful ceremony! ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
Hail to the Chief, who honors well our nation’s heroes who died that we might be free – so many fallen in far away fields, but not forgotten … not now under this President anyway.
So grateful and proud to see our gorgeous First Lady, our wonderful President Trump and our Vice President and his wife. In an alternate universe we would have been seeing the cackling hyena and her crazy VP laying the wreath. Thank you God that today is our reality instead of that nightmare. So sad to see the wounded warrior. My heart aches for those people.
Moving.
Never forget.
I am so moved when i see this done, it is so humbling, and i cry at Taps every time. A beautiful Ceremony
Taps lyrics will also get your eyes misty when played for somber occasions:
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake, from the skies.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, may the soldier
or sailor, God keep. On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep.
Love, good night, must thou go,
when the day, and the night need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar Goeth day,
And the stars Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone, night is on.
Thanks and praise, for our days,
‘Neath the sun, Neath the stars, ‘Neath the sky,
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.
Thank you for posting the words. I only knew the first stanza. It only gets more meaningful as the song continues.
What was the hold up? They should have snapped to considering the rain.
Seriously? That’s your only response after watching that ceremony? Would you rather have seen Joe Biden looking at watch and wondering when he could leave?
High honor and remembrance, rightly given, is not made subject to the discomfort or inconvenience of the giver – the highest honor is offered during brutal wind and bone soaking rain, irrespective of our personal pain.
AMEN!!
It reminds me of Marylin Monroe in a spaghetti strap dress singing Bye Bye Baby in the cold wind for the soldiers who were gathered to see her.
Perfectly said. The soldier that protected our freedoms, didn’t have perfect conditions or their chosen timeframe to die for us. Their is no small or large sacrifice that we do to honor them, that will ever even the score for what they did for us- weather not the least of it!
Uncomfortable? Yes. Not a drop in the bucket compared to what those in that tomb endured? Yes as well. I’d welcome being out there in the rain to honor and recognize the men who gave their lives for our country. I’m sure President Trump did, as well as VP Vance. I am so grateful we have a Marine standing ready to back up President Trump!
Thank you.
Honouring the fallen with the dignity and reverence for the sacrifices of so so many, absent from the last four years.
Lest anyone doubt the returning Commander in Chief has the best interests for the men and women who will serve under him and a complete respect for their service.
I could weep for joy 🙏🏻
Dignity…it has been so long since that word described anything happening in our Nation’s Capital! What a somber, beautiful ceremony!
A huge sigh of relief, sis. And something else I couldn’t describe. All I know is that I was overwhelmed, to the point of having to choke back the tears.
Oh my. 😪
What a powerful display. Hearing Taps always makes my cry. Such a moving and beautiful tribute to the ones who gave their all. 🙏❤️🇺🇸
May their sacrifice be forever so honored.
Finally – men of honor!
Melania and Usha fulfilled their ceremonial roles with grace and dignity.
They looked perfect.
Yes. They were both lovely and graceful.
Class has come back to our government’s leadership. It’s been a long time gone and it was deeply missed by the honorable people of the United States of America.
Mrs Vance looked lovely too.
She wore white because it is the color of mourning in Hinduism.
I thought that I had heard about white being the color of mourning in Hinduism and wondered if that was why she was wearing it…thank you for confirming it for me, since I forgot to look it up!
My observation:
1. He is respectful where he should be as a proud American.🇺🇸
2. He is disrespectful where it is warranted against fools and evildoers.👍
* I approve my own message.
I most assuredly approve of my president who received my vote three times. ❤️🤍💙
I feel deeply honored to see this take place, with these people, at this time. A few months ago I had doubts if I would be given the time to ever see a recovery of America begin, but it has! And how better to begin America’s recovery than a powerful respect of sacrifices made, so today’s generations can restore and maintain the respect and strength of our military. I have the feeling like WWII may finally be over. President Trump has promised to declassify the “secrets” that have been withheld about the JFK killing, the RFK killing, the MLK killing and more. Every decade of my lifetime can be defined by what country the USA was warring with over some excuse like “stopping the dominoes from falling”. That cost me plenty!
I pray to God that kind of mental madness is finally purged from America!
Streamers of mid-morning sun shine through a copper-framed dome in the lobby of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Beneath a twenty-foot statue of Jesus is an inscription carved in white marble, Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
May God grant eternal peace to the unknown soldiers and the unknown families who grieved for them.
Does anyone know who lId the other two wreaths?
The young girl and the man?
The young man is Marine veteran Tyler Vargas- Andrews. He was a survivor of the Abby gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Interestingly, with modern technology one of the “unknowns” was identified, and returned to his family. After some consideration, it was decided that this tomb would remain empty.
The seriousness, dignity and respect that is maintained with this memorial and gravesite is humbling.
Very happy to see our Commander-In-Chief to be, who actually cares for our Military Personnel.
In a matter of hours, our armed forces will have responsible leadership.
Thank you for posting this SD. Very important and a gut check before we all celebrate.
Today President Trump showed the a-h013s at Arlington National Cemetery who is boss after arriving in town to take back the diamonds that were stolen four years ago.
Beautiful ceremony. I hope the families of the fallen also got a great measure of solace having an extraordinary front row seat to greatness and history being made.
Melania and Usha swapped colors today.
Ying and Yang.
This is such a sobering and meaningful tradition, especially to me. My grandfather was aboard a bomber that went down in WWII, all hands lost, MIA presumed KIA. My father, a Vietnam veteran, and recipient of the Air Force Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross medals for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat, died 6 years ago. He never knew his father, as my grandfather died when my dad was a baby.
In November I received a request from the DoD for a DNA sample. They have found something that indicates it may be my grandfather’s plane, and need DNA for comparison. I am praying that the DNA will confirm it is him and we can bring him home and bury him next to my father in the VA cemetary. My dad would have been so happy. 😢
May G-d grant your wish, Mrs. Galt, and thank you so much for your family’s sacrifice. It was not in vain.
I felt like crying watching that ceremony. For the first time in four years, we have honor, integrity and love of country back in our nation’s capital. G-d has blessed our nation more than we deserve. Please, please, please, let us not waste what might well be our last chance to restore our nation to its founding principles.
did they try and give him BS like the last time? Hope that POS dei breach is long gone….or she will be soon….
Where were all those valiant harpies who stood for drafting all your daughters into the ranks of the military alongside the trannies and queers? Why aren’t their children serving. I didn’t see Obama, Biden, Clinton, all noted draft dodgers nor Schumer and Whitehouse nor Kaine. How about that warrior Kerry, a man who got three purple hearts but never spent a day in hospital who ended his military career because the chief of the pacific command wanted him court martialed? I believe Americans know who wants an effective military and honors the men who serve and sacrificed and the apparatchiks who wish to destroy America. The pathological liars that are Demorats hate the Constitution and Americans. Their need to pardon everyone in their ranks is proof of their vast criminal conspiracy.