Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Essay Shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War which resulted in over 620,000 deaths, the reeling United States of America created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the soldiers who passed during service to their country. The monument symbolizes that there is no American who dies in battle that goes unforgotten. I personally have never gotten the privilege to visit the cemetery, but I have had the opportunity to see other monuments such as, the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. These memorials have the same overwhelming feeling of respect and gratitude for the men and women who gave their lives for the life we have today. Based on this information, I …show more content…
I have had numerous family members in the armed forces. Including four cousins currently serving in the Army. Two who were recently in Afghanistan. My cousin Josh was serving in Afghanistan and witnessed something that no one should ever have to see. He saw a young suicide bomber, no older than 12 years old, blow himself up in efforts to kill the American soldiers in that area. Josh was hit in the head with powerful debris which caused him to need to be sent back home. I remember seeing him at my grandparents’ wedding, and he was antisocial, quiet, and overall, not the Josh everyone knew and loved. Even after being involved in a traumatizing experience like that, he is a lucky one. There are people who have experienced far worse and who have faced death to protect their country. Another family member, my great great uncle, was captured by German soldiers. Those who were captured had to march for months in the snow; men were dying of disease, starvation, and everything in between. My uncle was able to survive by trading his watch for a piece of bread with a fellow POW. The stale German bread he received helped provide him with energy to keep marching, and ultimately be able to survive. My uncle, along with hundreds of other soldiers were starving and freezing while trying to defend our country. I am someone who complains after not eating for a few hours, so hearing this makes me appreciate the life I have so …show more content…
Being able to lay the wreath on the tomb is a moment that will stick with me for the rest of my life. The president himself gets to pay his respects in this way, so getting to do this as an eighth grader would just be unreal to me. Being able to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an experience that I feel this is the least I could do to show my undying respect and gratitude for the brave Americans who risk and give their lives for the freedom of the wonderful country I get the privilege to call