Tomb of the Unknowns needs help

[johan_steele]

The AC had this and I do believe it quite important... if some in Congress are more than willing to spend a million dollars on a Woodstock museum they can bloody well find the money to preserve a TRUE monument to the American Spirit.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ad.php?t=12882

Help Save the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery!

It's hard to believe, but officials at Arlington National Cemetery plan to replace the original Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a new replica solely because of repairable cosmetic imperfections. This 1932 monument is nationally significant and eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The 48-ton marble block has two nonstructural cracks which pose no threat to visitors or the historic structure. Surprisingly, federal bureaucrats want the replica carved from new stone that experts agree will likely again crack along its grain just as marble does naturally when exposed to the elements. Repair and proper care of the Tomb (re-grouting the cracks and using only gentle cleaning methods instead of high-pressure power-washing) is possible and is the preferred method for fixing the existing cracks, as other marble monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial were repaired.

Once the National Trust learned about this ill-considered plan, we raised the alarm with Members of Congress and tried unsuccessfully to consult with those who administer the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A decision to determine the fate of the Tomb Monument is expected by September 30th. Your help is needed to weigh in with decision-makers to help save the memorial.

Please Contact your Senators and ask them and the Senate Committee on Armed Services to explore alternatives to replacing the memorial; and.

Contact John Metzler, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery and ask him to repair rather than replace the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

[larry_cockerham]

Bro Steele, your emotions may be overunning practicality on this one. The concept of honoring unknown soldiers is a tradition developed long before 1932. This monument, while serving a very valid purpose, is not particularly 'historic' itself. The cost and practicality of repairs, perhaps destined to deteriorate more rapidly than the original, may well dictate a new symbol is in order?

[FSPowers]

If I understand the law correctly, places on the National Register of Historic Places have to be kept in as much as its original condition as possible, that should mean repair, not replace the monument. We have a building in San Antonio (the Smith-Young Tower, now the Tower Life Building) on that list and because of that law, one of the elevators is manually operated.

[larry_cockerham]

"places on the historic register"...... Does a monument qualify? I, too, would like to see it repaired. That wasn't my point. If constructed in 1932 more than likely the WPA had some input. That, in itself, should have some historical significance if that was the case. As we get older, history has a way of following us. Sometimes though economics and practicality win out. I agree with both you and Shane that the effort to restore should be maximized. If anyone or any group of folks deserve our nation's thanks; it's the folks commemorated by this monument.

[cw1865]

I'm not 'morally opposed' to a new monument, but the one thing that does bother me about it is that new construction seems to be very 'cost functional' , so the desire to create something as 'monumental' might be there, but somehow it just won't be done as well.

You see that transition in NYC clearly, they went from building things like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station (which are solid classics) and began building WTC, Citibank Building, etc. (steel framed glass houses). You may like the glass buildings but their arrival was definitely driven by cost at the expense of detail.

Somehow, someway, the attention to detail just won't be there.

[larry_cockerham]

A point well made. I suspect you are right.