Keeping Vigil

While the rest of us were sleeping on the eve of Memorial Day, the members of the First Virginia Regiment were keeping watch in the rain at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Alexandria, VA.

Photo credit to Andrea Cochrane Tracey

The tomb is discreetly located in the corner of the churchyard cemetery at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Unlike the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery just down the road, this tomb only gets a handful of visitors each day.  For those of you interested in learning more, the following links will tell you more about the site:

http://www.legion.org/magazine/64818/unknown-revolutionary

http://blogs.weta.org/boundarystones/2012/11/13/less-known-unknown

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Members of the regiment that participated in the vigil stood at rigid attention with muskets shouldered, conducting shift changes every hour on the hour, for the entire 24 hours leading up to a wreath laying ceremony that took place on Memorial Day.

Kitted out for the ceremony

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Raising the flag--Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

21-Gun Salate--Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Photo credit to Michael Itamura

Our First Virginians report that it was an incredible honor to stand vigil over the tomb that represents the sacrifices our forefathers made to secure the freedoms and liberty we enjoy today.  Our blessings abound!