The Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC), Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) held its fourth luncheon meeting of the year on June 13^th at Historic Christ Church.  RHLC President, Michael Rhodes, presided.  Thirty-five compatriots and guests were in attendance.

The meeting began with an awards ceremony. 

Compatriots William G. Broaddus and William “Bru” Brubaker were honored with ten-year membership awards.

Next, the chapter recognized Ms. Miriam E. Sisson, a student at Chesapeake Academy, for her award-winning SAR brochure submittal.  Ms. Sisson’s brochure on “The Federalist Papers” won first place in the chapter level and SAR state level competition.  Ms. Sisson was accompanied by her father, Mr. Michael Sisson, and her grandmother, Ms. Brenda Harhai.

The keynote speaker, Lonny A. LeGrand Jr., Assistant Relief Commander and Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the period April 1981 to September 1983, gave a presentation on the history of the tomb.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (TUS) was established in 1921. The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest on the east plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery represent all missing and unknown service members who served and made the ultimate sacrifice – they not only gave their lives, but also their identities to protect these freedoms.

The Tomb is the final resting place for the World War I Unknown Soldier, and three crypts contain the remains of Unknown Soldiers representing World War II, the Korean War, with an empty crypt dedicated to honoring our nations missing.

As a young man considering enlisting in the military, LeGrand was inspired by a poster of a young soldier marching quietly at the TUS during a snowstorm.  Within less than three years of his enlistment in the U S Army, LeGrand achieved his goal of becoming one of the Sentinels at the TUS.

LeGrand was a member of the 3^rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia during his tour at the TUS.  He is now a Founding Father and President of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

At the conclusion of WWI, the bodies of four unknown U S soldiers who died in combat were selected in order that one could be anonymously designated and buried with full military honors. 

The selected unknown soldier was transported back to the States aboard the USS Olympia.  As the ship’s hatches were too small to accept the large casket, it was lashed to the deck.  Even though the ship experienced rough seas, including a tempest, the Marines standing watch refused to leave their post beside the casket.

This simple, yet immensely powerful, desire to remain on post is carried on today by the Tomb Guards: never faltering they have watched over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and each of the crypts since 1948.