Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard at Arlington National Cemetery during coronavirus

While many people are forced to work from home and business have closed due to coronavirus, there is a sacred duty that will never stop being performed at Arlington National Cemetery. The brave sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are still very much dedicated to continuing this decades long tradition even during a pandemic. 

Tomb Of the Unknown 

The Tomb of the Unknown Solider has been guarded for over 30,000 days, and that streak will not end now. People who visit Arlington National Cemetery is sure to be overwhelmed with the patriotism and solemnity that this practice brings.

The sentinels do not allow blizzards or other weather induced catastrophes interfere with this duty. Even though the crowds are not there, they continue to guard these nameless men who gave their lives for our country.

They actually appreciate the intense silence brought about by the temporary closure.

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Arlington National Cemetery Closed During Coronavirus Pandemic

Like other Federal properties, Arlington National Cemetery is closed to the public at this time.

The staff continues maintaining the grounds and burials will continue. Work life on this hallowed ground will go on even when nobody is watching.

Family pass holders will still be able to visit the graves of their loved ones while Arlington remains closed to the public.

And of course, the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, continues to guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers every minute of each day just as they have done since July 1, 1937.

The sentinels guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier actually feel more connected to their jobs and those souls they protect when the crowds are not there. 

“When we feel closest to the unknowns, it’s when no one’s here,” Cpt. Harold Earls said in a recent interview with WUSA9. “For us, that’s when it’s very personal. I feel like after serving here after a certain amount of time, you honestly feel like you have a connection to our nation’s past.”

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“For us, it doesn’t matter if it’s a hurricane, or if it’s the coronavirus.” he added. “We are always here, we are always guarding.”

“I think it’s important for us to show to this country that we haven’t forgotten,” Earls says in the interview below. “That we will never forget the sacrifices that these soldiers made. That the missing in actions, the unknown made.”

That interview can be watched in the video below about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

God bless these brave sentinels and all the souls they guard.

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