Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1921 2021 - Update to SHGTUS Membership on TUS100 Committee

Centennial of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier

1921 - 2021
Update to SHGTUS Membership on TUS100 Committee

TUS100 Committee formally created in
2014
 Centennial Committee
  The SHGTUS Centennial Committee works closely with the civilian non-profit
  organization, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation, in planning the
  100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (TUS), Arlington
  National Cemetery.
 Mission
  The Centennial Committee acts as the point of contact for Society matters
  related to the 100th Anniversary of the TUS and will develop resources,
  coordinate and implement new Society educational campaigns,
  programs, and media releases associated with the 100th Anniversary of the
  TUS.
 Committee Chairman
  SGM (Retired) Gavin McIlvenna, SHGTUS President

TUS100 Projects
 Centennial Week              Website
 Boy Scout Merit Badge        Foreign Military Medals
 Centennial Coin (SHGTUS)     French Brother Cities
 Centennial Coin (US Mint)    Historical Aircrafts
 Centennial Fly Over          Historical Ships
 Girl Scout Merit Badge       Independence Seaport Museum
 Lapel Pin                    JBPHH
 National Salute              US Capitol Historical Society
 Presentation                 Community Outreach & Support
 Stamp                        Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Never
                                Forget Garden
 Tool Box
                               Reunion 2021
 US Army Band

Centennial Week Project

 Plan for the culmination of our work during the Centennial Week in
  Washington DC from November 8-11, 2021.
     Project Director: Gavin McILvenna
     Currently in Phase 1.
     November 8-11, 2017
     Working with Arlington National Cemetery
     Working with Reunion 2021 Project Director
     Developed Carnation Ceremony for November 11, 2021
     Developed Presidential Procession for November 11, 2021.
     Culmination of all projects
     Symposiums and presentations all week leading to November 11, 2021

Boy Scout Merit Badge Project

 Develop a new merit badge as part of our Centennial Committee’s
  recognition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the 100th Anniversary
  of the World War 1 Unknown Soldiers burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
     Project Director: Richard Azzaro
     Currently in Phase 2
     Letter to BSA National Eagle Scout Committee sent 07-25-18 requesting support.
     Email returned pledging support.

    If you or a member of your family is a Scout or Eagle Scout and you want to help
    please contact Richard at: razzaro@verizon.net

Centennial Coin (SHGTUS)
         Project
 Develop appropriate challenge coin commemorating the
  Centennial of the World War 1 Unknown Soldier burial in Arlington
  National Cemetery.
     Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
     Project completed May 2018
     1000 numbered coins produced, proceeds going back into TUS100
      budget
         1-700 set aside for TGIB holders/family
         701-1000 open to public to purchase

     Available for sale on SHGTUS website for $21

Centennial Coin (US Mint) Project

 Work with United States Mint to develop appropriate coin surrounding the
  Centennial of the World War 1 Unknown Soldier burial in Arlington National
  Cemetery.
     Project Director: Tom Tudor
     Currently in Phase 2
     Senate Bill (S. 3290) and House Bill (H.R. 6635) for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
      Centennial Commemorative Coin Act introduced.
         Currently need 67 co-sponsors to get bill approved.

If you would like to help, please contact your state leaders in Congress and
ask them to sign up in support of the bill.

Centennial Coin (US Mint) Project

Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI)            Senator Johnny Isakson (GA)
Representative Don Beyer (VA)         Senator Doug Jones (AL)
Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT)       Representative Walter Jones (NC)
Senator Shelley Capito (WV)           Senator Angus King (ME)
Senator Bill Cassidy (LA)             Senator James Lankford (OK)
Representative Steve Chabot (OH)      Representative Mark Meadows (NC)
Representative Mike Coffman (RO)      Representative Seth Moulton (MA)
Senator Christopher Coons (DE)        Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK)
Senator Tom Cotton (AR)               Representative Ralph Norman (SC)
Representative John K. Delaney (MD)   Representative Erik Paulsen (MN)
Senator Joni Ernst (IA)               Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI)     Representative Bill Shuster (PA)
Representative Bob Gibbs (OH)         Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD)
Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-    Representative Peter Visclosky (IN)
Colon (PR)                            Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA)
                                      Representative Brad Wenstrup (OH)

If you would like to help, please contact your state leaders in Congress and
ask them to sign up in support of the bill.

Centennial Fly Over Project

 Work with historical plane organizations to conduct a flyover of the TUS on
  November 11, 2021 with vintage aircraft (WW1, WW2, Korean, Vietnam,
  current)
     Project Director: Pam Tish
     Currently in Phase 1
     FAA regulations are strict in the DC area
     Have reached out to General (Retired) Chuck Yeager

If you are an aviator or know of an historic airplane group and you want to
help please contact Pam at: pam.tish@gmail.com

Girl Scout Merit Badge Project

    Develop a new Proficiency “Merit” Patch as part of our Centennial
     Committee’s recognition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the
     100th Anniversary of the World War 1 Unknown Soldiers burial in
     Arlington National Cemetery.
        Project Director: Shelia Cavanaugh
        Currently in Phase 2
            Includes Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels
            Encourages scouts to discover more about the TUS and then take
             action in their community to help others learn
            Letter sent to GSA CEO asking for approval and support.

   If you or a member of your family is a Scout and you want to help please
   contact Sheila at: shellcav07@gmail.com

Lapel Pin Project

    Develop appropriate Centennial Lapel Pin commemorating the
     Centennial of the World War 1 Unknown Soldier burial in Arlington
     National Cemetery.
        Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
        Project completed November 2016
        Proceeds going back into TUS100 budget
        Available for sale on SHGTUS website for $10

National Salute Project

 Develop easy, grass-roots, effort to bring National Salute back into communities
  around the United States.
     Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
     Currently in Phase 4.
     Ring bells 21times on November 11 at 11:00 AM.
     Organizations in all 50 states contacted, focusing on churches and fire
      departments.
     Worked with World War I Centennial Commission (WWICC) to increase public
      awareness and participation and beyond with the “Bells of Peace” program.
         Phone app created with bells that can be played

 If you would like to participate please contact Gavin at:
 publicaffairs@tombguard.org

Presentation Project

    Develop a easy to use PowerPoint presentation for SHGTUS members
     when conducting community outreach presentations
        Project Director: Herb Smith
        Currently in Phase 2
        Designs collected from multiple Tomb Guards
        Template reviewed by educators
        Draft to be presented at Reunion 2018
        Will be available to all members to assist with community presentations

       If you are interested in volunteering to conduct presentations in your community
       and beyond, please contact John Ranum at: outreach@tombguard.org

Stamp Project

 Work with United States Postal Service (USPS) to develop appropriate
  commemorative stamps surrounding the Centennial of the World War 1
  Unknown Soldier burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
    Project Director: Richard Azzaro
    Currently in Phase 2.
    Working with the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA).
    Advised by USPS on 04-02-18 that our request is still “under consideration”.
    544 letters to Congress/House of Representatives, and other government
     agencies and leaders asking for support.

If you want to help please contact Richard at: razzaro@verizon.net

Tool Box Project

        Develop a box that will contain items selected to facilitate the
         continuance or sharing the experience of the TUS. The tool
         box should be designed with patriotic pictures or expressions
         that are uniquely identified with the TUS.
             Project Director: Richard Azzaro
             Currently in Phase 2.
             Draft Tool Box constructed and showcased at Reunion 2016
             Working with Arlington Nation Cemetery to put in hands of schools
              that present wreaths
             Working with American Legion on US flag
             Looking for funding to advance project into final phase.

        If you want to help please contact Richard at: razzaro@verizon.net

US Army Band (USAB) Project

 Develop a new musical score that captures the complexity and power of
  the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    Project Director: Richard Azzaro
    Currently in Phase 2.
    Working with USAB

Website Project

 Update existing website and include tab/section on the Centennial for
  public to go to for resources.
    Project Director: Pam Tish
    Currently in Phase 2
    Working with the Seattle Web Group, and cleaning up the overall appearance.
    Now mobile user friendly.
    Cleaning up more of the inconsistencies in the profile sections.
    Cleaning up the look and flow of our Society Store.
    Integration of a feed that will allow our social media links to be published along
     with our website updates, which will be pushed out to the members / subscribers.
    Integration of our Facebook, Instagram account events;
    Development of a SHGTUS phone app

Foreign Military Medals Project

 Create formal ties with the respective foreign militaries that conferred upon the
  World War 1 Unknown Soldier their nation’s highest military honor for valor by
  request and collect historical information surrounding the specific award for
  valor presented to the World War 1 Unknown Soldier, including the history of the
  medal, official documents, photographs, and biographies of presenters.
     Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
     Currently in Phase 3-4.
     Working with the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association
     Working with the Romanian Embassy
     Working with Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor

 If you would like to participate please contact Gavin at:
 publicaffairs@tombguard.org

French Brother Cities Project

 Create formal ties with the cities of Chalons-en-Champagne and Le Havre,
  France with the hope of fostering a lasting relationship between the SHGTUS
  and the cities that played an important part in the selection of the World War 1
  Unknown Soldier.
     Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
     Currently in Phase 2.
     Letters sent to Mayor of Challons-en-Champagne and Le Havre
     Letter send to US State Department
     Email sent to French Ambassador requesting meeting in April 2018
     Working with American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)

 If you would like to participate please contact Gavin at:
 publicaffairs@tombguard.org

Historical Aircraft Project
 Researching the location/condition of the aircraft used to transport the Vietnam
  Unknown Soldier, Trans-Pacific Candidate, and the Korean War Unknown Soldier.
     Project Director: Mark Miller
     Currently in Phase 1.
     Working with USAF Academy Cadet C2C Stan Ocheskey
     Working with Dover AFB and Air Mobility Command Archivist/Historian
     Working with 437th Airlift Wing Historian at Charleston AFB
         C-141B (Tail number 65-0245) transported Vietnam Unknown Soldier from Travis AFB
          to Andrews AFB on 25 May 1984.
     Unknown USN aircraft transported the Korean Unknown and Trans-Pacific Unknown
      candidate from Hawaii to Guantanamo Bay after selection in Hawaii.

    If you would like to participate please contact Mark at: markmiller@windstream.net

Historical Ships Project

 Research and preserve the historical documents, photographs, and items
  surrounding the transportation of the Unknown Soldiers by USN vessels (USS
  Blandy, USS Boston, USS Canberra, USS Brewton and other support vessels as
  identified.)
    Project Director: Andrew Thomas
    Crew names available from National Archives in microfilm form for $125 per ship
    Working with USN Academy Midshipman M4C Jack Lawrence
    Working with the Navy History and Heritage Command
    Working with the USS Olympia Museum
    Working with Navy Yard Museum

    If you would like to participate please contact Andrew at:
     athomas21@gmail.com

Independence Seaport Museum
Project
 Create formal ties with the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia
  with the hope of fostering a lasting relationship between the SHGTUS and
  Museum, highlighting the important part the USS Olympia played in the
  transportation of the World War 1 Unknown Soldier.
    Project Director: Matthew Belfi
    Currently in Phase 2.
    Working with the VP of Interpretation and Visitor Experience
    Participated in Memorial Day Events in 2018

   If you would like to participate please contact Matt at: matthew@firsttroop.com

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickman
Project
 Work with Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickman (JBPHH) on history of Unknown
  Soldiers (Trans-Pacific/Korean) during May 1958, and Vietnam Unknown
  Soldier in May 1984.
     Project Director: Tanner Welch
     Currently in Phase 1.
     Working with Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, Allen Hoe (Hawaii)
     Working with the National Infantry Museum

If you would like to participate please contact Tanner at:
cagbound@gmail.com

US Capitol Historical Society Project

 Work with the US Capitol Historical Society to highlight the important part
  the capitol played in the reception and burial of the Unknown Soldiers in
  1921, 1958, and 1984.
     Project Director: Open
     Currently in Phase 2.
     Working with Chief Historian and Director of Historical Projects.

If you would like to participate please contact Gavin at:
publicaffairs@tombguard.org

Community Outreach & Support
Project
 Working with local communities to highlight their involvement with the
  Society and the Centennial Committee.
     Project Director: Gavin McIlvenna
     William R. Charrette Memorial Dedication
     Col. Gassaway Watkins Memorial Dedication
     Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor Remembrance
     Heatland Men’s Choral Production “We, The Unknowns”
     The Old Guard Monument Dedication
     Working with Stonehenge War Memorial Commemoration (November 2018)
     Working with Purple Heart Day Recognition Ceremony (August 2019

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Never
Forget Garden Project
 Develop a box containing the seed packets. Each box will contain
  information about each flower and their significance to our National
  commitment to never forget or forsake our honored veterans.
     Project Director: Richard Azzaro
     Currently in Phase 1.
         White rose
         The red poppy
         The purple viola
         For Get Me Not
     Working with George Washington’s Mount Vernon on symposium
     Will reach out to Colonial Williamsburg, The Botanical Gardens of the United
      States, Longwood Garden

    If you want to help please contact Richard at: razzaro@verizon.net

Reunion 2021

 Plan for historic reunion being held in conjunction with Centennial Week
     Project Director: Tim Gerard
     Currently in Phase 1.
     November 12-14, 2017.
     Hotel location may change.
     Banquet location needs to support 300+.
     Board of Director elections
     Special tour TBD

How can you get involved?
 Reach out to Project Directors
 Participate in National Salute
 Support agencies that support us
     American Legion
     Veterans of Foreign Wars
     The Old Guard Association
     National Rural Letter Carriers Association
     Independence Seaport Museum
     General Society of the War of 1812
     George Washington’s Mount Vernon
     Exchange Club of Rome, GA
     American Gold Star Mothers, Inc

 publicaffairs@tombguard.org