Changing of Guard honors Tomb of Unknown at area cemetery

The Union High School student, a member of Tulsa’s Civil Air Patrol, served as a sergeant of the guard at Floral Haven Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier over Memorial Day weekend. Sergeants of the guard give commands during the re-enactment.

The event begins with the sergeant introducing the ceremony and inspecting the rifle and uniform of the incoming sentinel. The fine details are highly important at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier because “the soldier in the tomb deserves the utmost respect,” Layland said.

Next, the sergeant, who gives commands during the ceremony, stands on the track and the incoming and outgoing sentinels stand off the track and face one another. The incoming sentinel receives orders for guarding the tomb then marches the track for a shift’s duration.

BROKEN ARROW -- Seventeen-year-old Charles Layland has been asked many times what it’s like re-enacting the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but it’s hard to find words to describe the job.

Major Sam Ory said the sentinels persevere despite the elements, from blowing winds to driving hail. The M1 Garand rifles the guards carry weigh more than ten pounds, he said. Layland said the position takes both a physical and mental toll.

“Just the amount of respect this re-enactment deserves, it takes a lot out of you, and it really shows you who you are and what you have underneath,” Layland said. “The sentinels are walking back and forth for an hour at a time at night, and they have nothing to do but do what they know, change shoulders when they have to and just continue marching down the track.”

Eleven people in the unit, including two teams of four and a team of three, have guarded the tomb in shifts over the weekend. Off-duty guards are expected to go elsewhere to rest and rehydrate.

About 50 people stood solemnly to observe a Changing of the Guard Monday afternoon. The ceremony took place every half-hour during the day and every hour at night since Saturday afternoon.

“It’s just one of the greatest honors someone can ever have,” Layland said.