(Photo: US Army)
In 1931, artisans began work on the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. They inscribed on the outside, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." One unidentified American soldier who perished in World War I was laid to rest there. In later years, other American soldiers from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War were also interred in the tomb.
Regardless of the weather, a sentinel always stands watch over it, to honor the fallen and enforce public decorum.
(Photo: Usuario Barcex)
America's Tomb of the Unknowns is not the only such place of honor in the world, nor was it even the first. Many nations across the world have carefully crafted and guarded tombs for unnamed fallen soldiers. Pictured above is that for Greece located in Athens. It is guarded 24 hours a day. The changing of the guard ceremony is a carefully choreographed and physically demanding task.
These are 2 of 10 tombs for unknown soldiers from around the world rounded up by Amusing Planet, including those in Iraq, Egypt, Canada, the UK, Belgium, and Russia.