Old Guard Monument Accepted As Gift By The U.S. Army

Col. James Laufenburg, US Army (Ret), Executive Director of The Old Guard Monument Foundation, announced today that Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren, has approved a plan to place a sculpture honoring the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, better known as “The Old Guard,” on the grounds of Ft. Myer in Arlington, Virginia. Laufenburg is a former Regimental Commander of the unit.

The nine-foot high bronze sculpture will be mounted on a pedestal in a place of prominence adjacent to the parade grounds of the historic fort, the long-time home of The Old Guard. Images on the three- figure sculpture, created by B.J. Mungenast of St. Louis, MO, will recognize the triple mission of the regiment: to perform both ceremonial and security duties in the Washington DC area, while maintaining itself as a combat ready unit, able to quickly deploy as needed to the world’s trouble spots.

Elements of the Old Guard constantly guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, adjacent to Ft. Myer. Its honor guard detachments, musical units and horse-drawn caissons provide final military honors to deceased members of the Army and their dependents who are interred at the cemetery.

With the approval of Army and base officials now in hand, Laufenburg says that he is now ready to begin to raise the two million dollars required to cast the sculpture and undertake the design and construction of the pedestal and surrounding plaza. “All funds expended to make this monument happen will come from private donations,” Laufenburg stated.

Pictures of the sculpture and additional information about the Old Guard Monument Foundation may be found at www.theoldguardmonument.org.