French City Honors America's Unknown Soldier on Centennial Anniversary

On October 24, the city of Châlons-En-Champagne, France, honored the centennial anniversary of the United States Unknown Soldier selection, which took place at Châlons-En-Champagne’s City Hall on October 24, 1921.

Current and former guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, veterans, Gold Star mothers, military spouses, and spectators attended the event to pay respects at the historic site, according to Stripes.

On November 11, 1920, both France and Great Britain dedicated tombs to their unknown who gave the ultimate sacrifice during World War I, according to Stripes.

introduced legislation for one unidentified American, who fought in World War I, to be buried at a special tomb in Arlington National Cemetery, according to the cemetery’s website.

The following morning on October 24, one of the caskets was to be selected to be brought to Arlington National Cemetery to forever be a symbol of sacrifice. .

24, 1921 to become the Unknown Soldier honored to this day in a French city.https://t.co/f6fvPdZSOY.

Younger of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 50th Infantry, American Forces in Germany, to select the Unknown Soldier.

Younger selected the Unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets,” according to Arlington National Cemetery’s records.

“From Châlons-sur-Marne, the Unknown journeyed by caisson and rail to the port town of Le Havre, France,” according to Arlington National Cemetary’s records.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery symbolizes “every mother whose son has not come back and is unknown,” Second Vice President of American Gold Star Mothers Pam Stemple told Stripes. 

Gavin McIlvenna served as a former relief commander at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington and expressed his feelings of being at the selection site.