Law halts replacement of Tomb of Unknowns

A guard stands watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in July 2006 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Cemetery officials had been considering replacing the tomb with an exact replica because of cracks in the marble, but a new law requires them to report to Congress with a study of all options.


Law halts replacement of Tomb of Unknowns
By Brett Zongker - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 29, 2008 16:30:57 EST

Congress has blocked the possible replacement of the cracked Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery pending a study of ways to repair the existing marble monument instead.

A defense bill President Bush signed into law Monday includes an amendment to prevent replacement of the tomb pending a report to Congress. The cemetery had been leaning toward replacing the monument, which was installed in 1931, to maintain its dignity.

“We want to have as flawless a monument as possible for our unknown service members,” said Kara McCarthy, spokeswoman for the cemetery, on Tuesday. “We’ve tried repairing it, but the cracks will continue to get worse.”

Millions of people visit the tomb each year and soldiers guard the sculpted sarcophagus at all times. It overlooks Washington from across the Potomac River in Arlington, Va., and is the scene of Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremonies by the president.

A crypt beneath the monument holds the remains of three unidentified servicemen killed in the two world wars and the Korean War. A Vietnam War veteran buried there was later identified through DNA testing and removed.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_tombcrack_080129/