Honoring the Unknown Soldiers

On behalf of The Cadet Newspaper, the Cadet foundation, his fellow Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute and VMI Alumni everywhere, Cadet Dylan Palmer '24 had the rare honor to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington on November 26, 2022. The ceremony, arranged by The Cadet Foundation with the Editorial Staff of The Cadet Newspaper and assistance from VMI '61, included the formal placing of a Red, White, and Yellow wreath adorned with a ribbon that read "The Cadet" by Cadet Palmer and Sentinels Paschal and Glover of the Tomb's guard detail. After the wreath had been placed, Master Sergeant Tubb, U.S. Army Band, played Taps for honors to the Unknowns. Organizing the changing of the guard throughout the day and the wreath-laying detail was Staff Sergeant Fraser, Sergeant of the Guard. LTC Meghan Ederle, 3d U.S. Infantry Division, assisted The Cadet Foundation and its alumni mentors in arranging for this singular honour. During VMI's celebration of the 25 years of women in the VMI Corps it is especially fitting for The Cadet and The Cadet Foundation to work with Lt. Col. Ederle, daughter of Kenneth Ederle '61, who made history again as the first female Commander of Troops for a General Officer Retirement Ceremony on Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall. Cadet Palmer holds the honor of being the first VMI Cadet to represent the Institute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. "Being offered the opportunity to present a wreath in honor of the Unknowns was an incredibly humbling opportunity. Treading amongst the Tomb is an opportunity provided to very few, normally reserved to guests of honor like Presidents, international leaders, and military officers of immense distinction. With that in mind, I am immensely grateful to The Cadet Foundation and The Cadet Newspaper, which I have written a few articles for in the past, to grant me this honor – but the true honor was bestowed to those that are interred there and what the Tomb symbolizes," Cadet Palmer said.&emsp;&emsp; The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated to deceased U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American serviceman from World War I in the plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater, interred below a three-level marble tomb. Joining the soldier from World War I are unidentified remains from World War II and Korea. Originally an Unknown, the remains of 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, an Air Force pilot and graduate of the Air Force Academy, from the Vietnam War was exhumed after identification, and the remaining crypt is now inscribed: "Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen 1958 – 1975" as a reminder of the commitment of the Armed Forces to the fullest possible accounting of missing service members. It has since been guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by the Tomb Guards, who are members of the Army 3rd Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard". "It is imperative that we as a country honour those who have fought for the freedom we enjoy, honoring not only those who lie beneath proper tombstones bearing their names but also those who gave their life and remain unidentified. Regardless of their names and histories, they remain American heroes, individuals given the highest respect and individuals willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for those they protect. It has been an honour for The Cadet and for the Virginia Military Institute to be able to reflect their respect for the fallen, a ceremony they hope to continue into the future." - Cadet Russell Crouch '24&emsp;&emsp; The Cadet newspaper, as the independent voice of the Corps since 1871, and The Cadet Foundation are proud to display the great citizen-soldiers VMI produces and honor their service to our country.&emsp;&emsp; More information on attending the ceremony with the cadets can contact The Cadet at: info@cadetnewspaper.org. A video of the ceremony is available at THIS LINK or online at: https://cadetnewspaper.org/video/