Commemorating the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, DAR Members and Chapters Encouraged to Plan Now for 2021 Observance

The Society of the Honor Guard is planning activities and ceremonies for the week of November 8-11, 2021, to include presentations by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the Society of the Honor Guard, authors, military units and tours by Arlington National Cemetery Historians.

I encourage chapters to begin planning local events during the week of November 8-11, 2021. Ideas may be found here: https://tombguard.org/centennial Two that are especially encouraged for DAR Chapters:

• Join the National Salute: On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 2021, Americans will pause to recognize those who have sacrificed in defense of our freedom and democracy, a moment known as the National Salute. Chapters are encouraged to organize a formal ceremony with local leaders and veterans’ groups to participate in this national moment of silence.
• Plant a Never Forget Garden: Suggestions can be found at the above website to create a “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Never Forget Garden.” Chapters are encouraged to work with local government agencies, cemeteries, parks, garden clubs and service organizations to promote and plant the gardens. Since the observance of the Centennial is in November 2021, plans would have to be made well in advance to secure plants, seeds, space, etc. in order to have the gardens in place by the observance date. This is a wonderful Conservation Committee opportunity to plant gardens as a visual way to honor veterans and to plan a special way to observe the Centennial.

I am delighted to share these recommended resources to get your chapter started:

• Book: “A Century of Honor Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” by Philip Bigler, Former Arlington National Cemetery Historian and 1998 National Teacher of the Year. This book is a wonderful resource and would be a good one for a chapter book study or a book review/program for chapters.
• Website:  www.american-historama.org/...tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-guards.htm  Provides information about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guards and facts about the Guards and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, designed especially for students. This information would be appropriate for DAR members involved in the Community Classroom Committee.

I hope that you and your chapter will join us as we commemorate the centennial of The Tomb of the Unknown Solider in order to honor these veterans who made the greatest sacrifice for our freedoms. More information will be shared as the centennial draws near in 2021. I am so grateful to Daughters everywhere for their love of country and their support of our military.