PG PICKETTE VISITS THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
President General C. Bruce Pickette laid a wreath on behalf of the SAR at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on September 10. The tomb contains the remains of the unknown soldiers of World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The Unknown Soldier from World War I was interred on Nov. 11, 1921.
The Tomb is guarded 24/7 by soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard”. The Old Guard is the oldest active infantry unit in the military. In addition to protecting this sacred site, the soldiers of the Old Guard maintain reverence and silence.
On a warm, sunny day in front of a large crowd and compatriots, PG Pickette was escorted by soldiers from The Old Guard and accompanied by Virginia Society 1st Vice President, Ernie Coggins; George Washington Chapter President Richard Rankin; and Virginia Color Guard Vice Commander for the Northern Region, Brett Osborn. The Virginia Color Guard provided a guard of honor for the participants along the stairs leading to the tomb.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, PG Pickette took time to shake the hands of Honor Flight veterans from Wisconsin and to thank them for their service to the nation. It was a very special day for all of those who witness this revered wreath laying. The George Washington Chapter of the Virginia SAR is honored to host this iconic ceremony for the President General each year.
PG Bruce Pickette VA Society, 1st Vice President, Ernie Coggins
Front Row (L-R) PG Bruce Pickette VA Society, 1st Vice President, Ernie Coggins
Second Row (L-R) George Washington Chapter President, Richard Rankin VA Color Guard Vice Commander, Brett Osborn
SAR Officers Present (L-R) Richard Rankin (President GW Chapter), Dave Thomas (VASSAR Asst. Registrar, Past President GW Chapter), Mike Weyler (VASSAR 3rd VP, Past President Col. Wm. Grayson Chapter), Ernie Coggins (VASSAR 1st VP, Past President GW Chapter), President General Bruce Pickette, Mike Elston (Chancellor General, Past President VASSAR and GW Chapter), Don Reynolds (Past President VASSAR and GW Chapter), Tom Roth (VASSAR Historian, Past President GW Chapter)
VASSAR Color Guard with the President General: Ken Bonner (President Sgt. Major John Champe Chapter, Past Commander VASSAR Color Guard), Mike Weyler (VASSAR 3rd VP, Past President Col. Wm. Grayson Chapter), President General Pickette, Brett Osborn (VASSAR Vice-Color Guard Commander, Col. James Wood, II Chapter), Paul Christensen (Col. James Wood II Chapter Richard Tyler (Col. James Wood II Chapter)