Old Guard Monument Foundation Presents Wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns

December 11, 2010

Today, members of the Board of Directors and Sponsors of The Old Guard Monument Foundation (OGMF) joined some sixty friends and their families to present a wreath to the nation’s fallen heroes at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.  The Foundation is committed to placing a monument to the 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on the grounds of its headquarters at Fort Myer, Virginia.

The delegation, whose participants ranged in years from an octogenarian to the six-year-old son of the project’s general contractor, gathered under the Corinthian pillars of the Memorial Amphitheater to watch the traditional “changing of the guard,” after which, precisely at 1015, the Sergeant of the Guard led seven of their number down the stately marble stairway for the presentation of a ceremonial wreath.

Members of the presentation group included: OGMF Executive Director Col. James F. Laufenburg, USA (Ret); major contributors LTG Charles Dyke, USA (Ret), Barbara Mungenast, the monument’s sculptor; Pete Murphy, Editor, Association of the U.S. Army News (AUSA), Ron Nash, InterWest Partners and Paul Watson, representing The Old Guard Association. Col. Dave Anders, current Commander of the Old Guard, escorted the group to the apron of the tomb where the wreath was placed to the playing of “taps” by an Old Guard bugler.

Although wreath presentations at the Tomb are common, those participating in the ceremony found it an unforgettable experience. Barbara Mungenast of St. Louis said that “for me, today’s ceremony was an act of solidarity with my son and late husband who served our country in the military, as well as with all others who sacrificed to protect our freedoms.”  Paul Watson, a Californian, had not been back to Arlington since he served in the Old Guard in the 1960s. “This is an emotional day for me and I’m happy that my daughter and son-in-law are with me to share in this solemn observance.”

Joining the civilian contingent was a sizeable number of current members of the Old Guard, both officers and enlisted. Many expressed enthusiasm for a future monument that will honor the men and women of their regiment, past, present and future. An exceptional setting awaits the Old Guard Monument at Ft. Myer. On a spot adjacent to the Summerall Parade Field and Conmy Hall, the sculpture will rest on a graceful plaza designed in a collaboration between Michael Bratti of R. Bratti Associates and Alex Zaras of Zaras and Neudorfer Architects.

At the conclusion of the wreath ceremony, buses conveyed the group to a reception held in the historic caisson barn on Fort Myer. Surrounded by sturdy draft horses in their stalls and the caissons used to carry coffins of those being buried in the cemetery at Arlington, the group warmed up with hot beverages and tasty sandwiches. The caissons were built in 1918 to carry 75mm cannons into battle. Today their loads are the flag draped remains of men and women who have fought in the nation’s battles or served their country in other ways. 

Being Saturday, the equine members of the Old Guard were enjoying an off-duty day, and were bathed and groomed for the occasion. Many enjoyed the attentions of group members – especially the youngsters. Their handlers – all Old Guard infantrymen specially trained as riders and wranglers, encouraged members of the group to tour the tack room area and inspect the gleaming brass fittings of the harnesses, all polished to military correctness.  

In his remarks of welcome, Laufenburg thanked those who had brought the monument project to its present point “by their financial contributions, their pro bono labor, their advice and creativity. “  Jay Collier, a Texas developer, was one such individual. An original backer of the monument in 2002, he had put together much of the Foundation’s administrative structure. “Today I am honored to be in the midst of so many who have helped us reached this point. The monument has been accepted by the Army as a gift and the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Fine Arts Commission have approved the site plans.” 

Laufenburg gave the group a progress report, especially detailing the near completion of the bronze sculpture that is to be the centerpiece of the monument. It features three nine-foot high military figures positioned on a circular granite pedestal, representing the Old Guard’s history and mission. He encouraged participants to become “ambassadors” of the project and bring in other potential supporters. “Only by this outreach and networking can we reach our monetary goals and begin to break ground for the monument in the near future.” He also invited all in attendance to end the morning by touring the close-by monument site before heading home.

As he left the barn, Pete Murphy, representing AUSA, a “Regimental Sponsor” of the Old Guard Monument, recounted that “AUSA has supported this project from its early stages. When finished it will be the perfect tribute to The Old Guard, the Army’s oldest and among its proudest units. The spirit of General George Washington, its founder, will find pride in its presence at Fort Myer.”     

Details concerning the monument project are found at www.theoldguardmonument.org.
The Monument Fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, which is a non-profit foundation qualified under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Foundation's tax identification number is 25-1407396.  All or a portion of donations may be tax deductible, please consult your tax advisor for more information.