The unknown......what?

Perhaps I'm a little cranky on this subject, but the tombstone at Arlington National Cemetary called "The Tomb of the Unknown," has been on my rant list for however long ago the word "Soldier" was taken off of it. The way it is now sounds like a Star Trec segment name. I was told it was a sexist thing. Last I heard ladies in the military are soldiers, sailors , or airmen (a little sexist maybe.) Unknown, says just that. Maybe a stash of quarters, a baseball card, Maryland Monroes lipstick or just air and dust. It was first dedicated On 4 March 1921 as a congressional act as The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. If they want to memorialize the unknown do it right. Put a tombstone somewhere unknown so only folks who aren't in the know might know where it is, or not, maybe.
There has to be a better reason for the change than somebody's sex. Please enlighten me.

 

Are you serious? They took the word soldier off of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? Are you pullin' my leg, Mister @preacherbob50 ? Well now, sit tight, I have to go look this up and then beat myself if I missed such a thing in history!

Okay, you'll need to tell me more... arlingtoncemetery.mil still lists it as Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Who took the word off? And yes, women are soldiers, so whoever's trying to do this ludicrous thing is off their rocker.

I can't find reference to anyone changing the name although with all of the other un-patriotic and anti-constitution garbage going on, I won't be real shocked if it's been sometime since 2008. 'Nuff said on that, I guess.

 

Yes, my dear Kate, sad but true. It's still listed on line with " soldier" but when the president, since Clinton I believe, goes to place the ceremonial wreath [on it] every media known to man now calls it "The Tomb Of The Unknown." I believe, and stress, "believe" until the last few conflicts women in service were called WAC's, WAV's, or WAF's and the proper name of Soldier, did not apply to the ladies. Hence, the omission of the word, soldier. The thought was that since women die for our country too, that the word soldier implied that only men did. So, the easiest thing to do was control,alt,delete.
Kind of frightening really if you think about the other ramifications of the name change for our ladies in service. While a soldier may open a car door or light a cigarette for another soldier, I get a case of shivers when I hear that a soldier married another soldier. Too much old school in me I guess.

 

I just saw " lionzfire's" post, and indeed it seems others know our memorial tomb the same as I said, Kate. But, I did err, so slap me silly please. The Tomb Of The Unknown," has an "s" at the end. That being said, I still would like a factual reason for the change and not the guessing game I've been entertaining.

 

That is rather ridiculous, yes, female members of the military are still soldiers. It is a recent thing for women to be doing that, but since we have allowed them to join, they are soldiers just like the men. I think being part of the military means setting aside your female role for a time in order to be part of the unit. Trying to be all PC like that is getting really stupid.

 

I really don't know about the status of the name of the tomb, but , Kate, did I detect a racist tinge to your reply above?
I would find it offensive to think that anyone would fail to use the term "soldier" for female soldiers in this day. I could understand that soldier, sailor, airperson could lead to deleting the word "soldier" so as to not offend the other groups (I seem to recall that being a question), so use the term "warrior". I do not believe that deleting the term soldier has to do with sex, but rather branch os service.

 

Hey Tom, long time. Warrior, soldier, wiggit! While it might be " understood" that there is a person who served in the tomb by pure merit that it is Arlington, why change it at all? Your tax dollars at work.

It almost took an act of congress to get Hussein O'Bama to even wear an American flag lapel pin so I understand Kate's rationale toward thinking that it's just one more stupid thing that this administration might have done.

 

Oh, our dear Thomas... ever the instigator, eh? You're trying too hard. How could my personal opinion about whether or not women in the military mind being called "soldier" or not be racist? Did anyone even mention race?

Hmmm... if you said the wrong word and meant "sexist" well that's just silly because it would be the people saying they should *not* be called the same as men being the sexists... uh, no? And I'm not a man, so... well sorry, I didn't make much sense out of what you said.

Oh, and for whatever records you're keeping, I'm not so timid as to have to "tinge" my words... if I want to say something I'll say it outright.

I do realize that some people thrive on controversy... I'm just not one of them, but have fun, and maybe you'll have a taker soon.

 

And theres the bell! Tom makes his appearance with some pretty fancy footwork and now a jab that just grazes Kate. Kate comes back with her own jab that connects and follows it with a powerful roundhouse punch that sends Tom to the floor! He's shaken up, .....woozy from the devastating " right." There's already a bruise showing up on the " left" side of his chin! This blood thirsty crowd is going wild! Oh the humanity! There should be a white towel on this one folks! Ding! Ding! He's saved by the bell!

 

Oh, very funny, @preacherbob50 ! I think Mister "Pendrake" discovered how to push my buttons and is glowing with anticipation now as my own personal stalker. I know I should maybe sit on my hands, but being called a fool and a racist and maybe some things in threads I didn't see because of my personal beliefs is not nice or fair and it's upsetting.

I KNOW I'm not a racist and that's a ridiculous statement so I know he's trying to start something because every time someone doesn't agree with him, he brings out the racist namecalling... and I'd sure like to think I'm not a fool although that one might be debatable since I keep taking the bait.

 

I know you are not a racist, and definitely not a fool, just as I know that Tom likes to force a debate. I just simply found out a while back that he likes to invite the other kids in the sand box to teeter-totter with him so he can jump off. So, I go to the swing set with him but not the teeter-totter.
But what I do not know yet is the answer to the original question and for the life of me cannot find out the details of the tomb of the unknown. I guess, the answer to this and other questions will remain locked in Area 51. No, that's not possible because everybody knows who's buried there! Where's Rod Serling when you need him?

 

The racist element in both your and preacherbob50's comments have to do with the vitriolic statements about our president. To assume that he is unAmerican just because of the color of his skin is racist, period.
With just a little research it turns out that the term soldier is not used (and never has been officially) because the person in the tomb is meant to represent not just soldiers, but sailors, marines, airmen, and anyone else fighting for our country. It is not because of the fact that some of our warriors are women (who may be soldiers, if in the army). It is because we also have sailors (of both sexes), marines, and air"people". I find the U.K. solution (calling them warriors, which applies to all branches) to be better than "blank". I do not remember calling Kate a fool, and perhaps she needs to take a close look at her anti-Obama attitude. I only call someone racist if the question of race bears on the subject in question. When someone says that all Africans who came to America were poor slaves and none of them prospered despite the prejudice they faced, that is racist. The facts are otherwise. Despite all the obstacles they faced, many African Americans have prospered, even before the War Between the States.

 

You are REALLY getting on my nerves. NO ONE... no one mentioned anything about our President's skin color but you. No one. I don't know why you're constantly talking about this racist issue... you did it on another thread or two as well, but I have to say that it's getting tiring.

If you have a problem with people of color, I suggest you see a therapist, because you are the sole poster here that I have seen mention it. Nauseatingly often.

 

Okay Tom....best check it out. The tomb, as I stated before, was designated by Congress in 1921 as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier!
Each individual picked from WWI-Vietnam are called Unknowns. But the fact remains that the tomb, according to todays congress still has a soldier at the end of it.
Now, let's get real. I cannot stand Hussein O'Bama. He was caught telling lies before his initial election and still loves spinning more toro poopoo seemingly every chance he gets.
This has nothing to do with skin color. Even his own brother says he doesn't like his president brother. Every time someone says anything about a black person a bunch of other white liberals out there want to call it racist. There has been more race baiting in the last 6 years than any year of my life. And think about it Tom......For all you know...I just might be black.
I do not mind a debate.....but one based on the presumption of race is a little low Tom. Quit reading your dog eared copy of Roots and really read what was being said. I couldn't stand Carter either by the bye, so I guess I don't like peanut farmers either.

 

Tom....this is totally off topic and if Pete calls me on it I probably deserve it. I have thought about it and frankly, your style of debate is really undeserving of answers. I tried to have a little fun but you just came back with the race baiting bit again......so...you're pretty much on your own.

 

So is the tomb of the unknown soldier more symbolic than it is a memorial for an unknown soldier? Maybe I am a little slow on this, but I thought they identified the unknown soldier.

 

No Gin, but close. Since 1921, (WWI-Vietnam) a soldier was picked from each force to represent those lost in battle, not only in death but in name. These soldiers were called the unknowns. Although, there have been those unknowns picked who are not only named but given poshumous medals such as the congressional medal of honor. Generally speaking though, the reason for the tomb was, as Aghart so wonderfully put it, to give those loved ones of mia soldiers something to grasp onto. Their son, or daughter might be the one entombed in the tomb of the unknown soldier. giving peace to the loved ones and the soldier in question.

 

What happens to the soldiers who are MIA or POWs that never returned to their families? The ones who we don't know what happened to? Do they get a memorial?

 

I don't know about MIA/POWs but if they are not found after the war is all over, it is understood that they have died. My guess they don't have a memorial for them because no one knows for sure what really happened to them.