Tranquil weather expected as Tomb of the Unknown Soldier marks 100th anniversary
Tourists allowed to lay flowers at tomb during two-day commemoration
A tomb guard of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," walks before a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021.
(ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is marking its 100th anniversary this week by allowing tourists to lay flowers at the memorial for the first time in nearly a century.
Since 1921, the marble sarcophagus overlooking Washington has served as the final resting place of an unidentified soldier killed during World War I. Since then, two other unidentified soldiers have been laid to rest at the tomb – one in 1958 and another in 1984.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, the public will be allowed to walk on the plaza that leads to the tomb and pay their respects. Normally, this is an area where only the Sentinels of The Old Guard, who protect the memorial, walk.
![Biden and Harris at tomb of the unknown soldier]()
Image 1 of 5President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Major General Omar J. Jones salute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, after being sworn in, on January 20, 2021. (JOSHUA ROBERTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
![Trump at tomb of the unknown soldier]()
Image 2 of 5President Donald Trump salutes as he participates in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day, and honor those who have died while serving in the US Armed Forces on May 25, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
![Obama at tomb of the unknown soldier]()
Image 3 of 5President Barack Obama participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11, 2016. (YURI GRIPAS/AFP via Getty Images)
![George W. Bush at tomb of the unknown soldier]()
Image 4 of 5President George W. Bush and Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr. participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery May 26, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. (Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images)
![Clinton at tomb of the unknown soldier]()
Image 5 of 5President Clinton pauses after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Veteran's Day Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, Va., November 12, 1999. During the commemoration ceremony, Clinton called for the "fullest possible accounting"of all Americans still missing in action. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
On Veterans Day, a full-honors ceremony will be held. Organizers said it is meant to evoke elements of the funeral held for the World War I soldier entombed there. It will also include a procession and flyover.
The forecast looks quiet for Tuesday and Wednesday with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s for highs and light winds.
Clouds should increase throughout the day Thursday, but conditions should remain dry. Temperatures on Thursday should climb into the mid-60s by the afternoon, and winds should be light.