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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier wins temporary reprieve
After several months of controversy, the replacement of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, proposed in 2006 by the Arlington National Cemetery, has been halted — at least for the time being. At the urging of more than 4,000 members of the preservation community, Sens. Daniel Akaka and Jim Webb passed an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that postpones any replacement or repair.
Before any action can be taken, the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must present a comprehensive report to Congress, including:
- A description of the current plan to replace and dispose of the 1932 Tomb Monument.
- A comprehensive comparison of the cost of replacing vs. repairing the Tomb Monument, as well as an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of those repairs.
- An explanation for why no attempt has been made since 1989 to repair the Tomb Monument.
Although this reprieve is not a permanent solution, it does give the preservation community a chance to weigh in and, with luck, preserve this vital piece of our nation’s cultural heritage.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has been at the forefront of the fight to save the Tomb Monument. Please visit the group’s Web site for more information.
