PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Four students at Byram Intermediate School in Stanhope, New Jersey, were recently selected to participate in the solemn tradition of laying a wreath while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has long been a way for individuals and organizations to honor the sacrifices of American service members. The ritual at the nation’s largest military memorial site symbolizes the beauty and brevity of life.
Since 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and today is the grave of three unidentified service members. The Tomb’s meaning has evolved to represent the memory of all military members throughout American history.
One hundred years after the World War I unknown service member’s burial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continues to be a powerful symbol of service and sacrifice, mourning and memory.
“During their visit to Washington, D.C., the students were asked to write an optional essay explaining why they wished to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” said Donald Landi Jr., father to one of the students selected.
“The top four students were selected for this honor, demonstrating their profound respect for the members of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
After watching the changing of the guard during their visit to the cemetery, Landi’s daughter Gabrielle Landi, and her peers, Connor Eastman, Angeline Lavrador, and Brianna Mesias, participated in laying the wreath before the tomb.
As a Picatinny Arsenal employee, Landi reached out to the garrison command team who was inspired by the patriotism and professionalism demonstrated by these young adults. The U.S. Army Soldiers then coordinated with the school to recognize the students at their eight-grade graduation ceremony on June 17.
In his first community engagement since taking command of U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal last week, Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Franks, attended the ceremony and presented the students with certificates of appreciation and military challenge coins.
“Your contributions serve as a sterling example for all and reflect great credit upon yourself, having earned the undying gratitude of the service members and civilians of the Picatinny Arsenal workforce,” Franks said as he read the citation in front of friends, family, faculty, and students who gathered at the ceremony.
Arlington National Cemetery contains more than 400,000 headstones and spans 639 acres. On average, the cemetery receives four million visitors a year and conducts 27-30 burials each weekday, and between 6-8 services on Saturdays.
According to Arlington National Cemetery and the Office of Army National Cemeteries, public wreath ceremonies are limited to one group per day with a maximum of four participants in the ceremony.
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