LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - MAY 11, 2014 “Flags In” by Lynne Belluscio On the Historical Society’s recent trip to Washington D.C. it was important for us to visit Arlington Cemetery. And although it was a cold windy and very wet, day, we all left the comfort of our warm bus to walk over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to watch the changing of the guard. The ceremony is based on the highest military honor, the twenty-one gun salute. The guard marches twenty one steps, then faces east for 21 seconds and north for 21 seconds. He marches back 21 steps and faces east for 21 seconds and south for 21 seconds. The guards are all members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry known as the “Old Guard” which has served this nation since 1784. No other army unit has served longer. It was given its name by General Winfield Scott during 24, beginning at 9:00 am at completed and dedicated until Many years ago, cracks a victory parade during the Macpelah Cemetery, a group of 1932. The stone was quarried appeared in the 48-ton marble Mexican War in 1847. In 1948, volunteers will place 500 flags on from the Yule Marble Quarry tomb. Several attempts were the Old Guard began placing flags gravesites. Everyone is invited to near Marble, Utah, where marble made to fill the cracks but they for the Lincoln Memorial and kept reappearing and were other monuments was obtained. getting larger. There were plans The large marble block was to completely replace the tomb shipped to Rutland, Vermont, with a new piece of marble, but where it was sawn and dressed. it was discovered that the new Then it was shipped to Arlington marble would eventually crack where it was carved by two just like the original. Italian sculptors, Attilio and Furio In the meantime, preser- Piccirilli under the direction of vationists insisted that the cracks artist Thomas Jones. could be sealed and that it would The Piccirilli brothers also be a travesty to totally replace the carved the colossal statue original monument. It was also of Lincoln in the Lincoln determined that the cracks were Monument. The family, Attilio not structural, however, they and Furio, their four brothers and were very noticeable. their father came from Tuscany, When we were at the tomb, the Italy in 1888. They lived in the rain and wind were so severe, I on the graves in Arlington and help. Volunteers also place flags Bronx and gained a reputation don’t think that anyone noticed also the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s at St Francis Cemetery. ) for their skills as sculptors. (They the cracks. During the past Cemetery for Memorial Day. The Tomb of the Unknown also sculpted the two lions at the couple of years, severe weather Every available member of the Soldier was established in 1921 entrance of the New York City in Washington has prompted “Old Guard” helps to place nearly with the burial of an unknown Public Library.) orders for the guards to seek 300,000 flags on the graves, all in Word War I serviceman brought There are three Greek figures shelter, but in every case, the three hours. The event is called back from France. The large carved in the panel that faces orders were ignored. The tomb “Flags In.” (On Saturday, May marble monument was not Washington, D.C. They represent remains guarded, twenty four Peace, Victory and Valor. When hours a day, seven days a week. the panels were first carved, Valor A tribute to the Americans who was called “American Manhood” paid the ultimate price for our but was later renamed. The freedom. LEROYANS ... Western panel is inscribed with If you know of anyone from As we turn to spring and look forward to summer the famous words: “Here rests LeRoy buried at Arlington, activities, Botts-Fiorito Post #576 would like to in honored glory an American please let us know. encourage as many homes and businesses to fly the soldier known but to God.” American flag, especially on the following days: Memorial Day - May 26th Flag Day - June 14th Independence Day - July 4th Labor Day - September 1st There is nothing like seeing the Stars & Stripes flying in the breeze. lpgraphics.net Please consider this proposal to fly the National Colors as a symbol of Americanism.