5000 an insult. Years in 1920, one single unknown soldier was chosen to represent all of those who had died without being identified. The soldier of world war i was lead to rest with a solemn ceremony intended at the our Motion Picture holdings documents the progress of that soldiers remains from france to the United States, in the newly built him of the unintelligent. As the ceremonies at the u. S. Capital where the unknown leg general stood as the soldiers father to fill the role of the socialist nearest relative. Along the way from france to the nearest resting place eight men selected by the general accompanied the body of the unknown. So we are going to hear from Patrick Odonnell, and learn the story of the eight bearers, and their heroism on the battlefield. Patrick odonnell is a bestselling, critically acclaimed military historian, and a expert on elite you. Nets hes the author of 11 bucks, including washington immortals, world war i, and he saw recipient of several national awards. He served as a combat historian, and a marine rifle platoon and speaks often on espionage special operations to counter insurgency. Hes provided struggle consultancy for remarks, and for documentaries produced by bbc, history, channel and fox news, and discovery. Just to read you a couple of snippets of reviews on his newest book, from the wall street journal. The Exhaustive Research and fluid pros, mr. Odonnell believed the history of the an in soldier and the story of americas part in world war i to the soldiers experience. And from usa today, a gripping story formula of donald, one of the best soldiers of his generation. Few others had the same kind of enthusiasm and gusto that odonnell brings to this topic. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me in welcoming Patrick Odonnell to the stage. [applause] it is really quite an honor to be introduced by the archivist of the United States. I spent over two decades here at the National Archives, researching 11 bucks from the American Revolution all the way to the unknowns, right here in this building several of the stories about the navy buddy variables were drawn from the research here at the National Archives. I am really just honored by all individuals that are here today, that came to support the unknowns. Especially many of the former two mudguards, i would like to recognize paul, former surgeon of the guards, as well as if you could please stand. These are some of americas finest. Thank you so much for your service. Also tim francs of the amc, and the Oasis Society in atlanta. Here my family, my mom and dad, i really appreciate your support over the years. I have written 11, books and all of the books have been me in one way or another. When i mean by that, its not a cliche, the story finds me. If its washingtons immortals, we are, walking i was walking with the metallic midair i was with influenza, and we found a russian old sign that said there are continental heroes were buried in a mass grave in brooklyn somewhere. And i want to know the back story of that story. It is history in plain sight. The engines is no different. I was given the opportunity to be a guide in france, for the fifth roomy marines and leader the wounded war regiment. As we walked, the hollowed grant a bell of wood which happened exactly hundred years to this day in Second Division, helped save paris. They stopped the german drive. We look around the news, and there is very little talked about the little battle of below would. And that generation of its the reason why i wrote the unknowns. Its a unknown generation. Its the forgotten generation that change the world. We are Walking Around the shell of belleauwood the land is scarred by world war i, and i was joined by some of the brothers that i was with influenza. And it is quite striking. The two generations had met. In one place. And it was a situation where the nearly killed all of us. The former ottoman empire, that, iraq was strictly a result of that. It was that meeting of generations that made me wonder, and then i found out, that earnest he jensen eat a epic charge a Police Notice helmet 42. As we walk up, there this is the high ground near belleauwood, its crucial. The marines on june 26th, 19, 18 charged across the wheat field. Under heavy machine again fire, as they charged in civil war formation because they were ordered to buy the french. It was a bloodbath. Any of these men dropped from the machine gun bullets, they kept. Charging the kept making their way towards hill 142. And unbelievably, they were able to take a position that was helped by a battalion of germans. When the seat the hill. And against odds, the seized the hill. But within 20 minutes that they knew was coming. Next a german counterattack. Jensen, and george hamilton, the 49th company, this is a band of brothers in the book, and also the story of the unknown soldier, braced for the counterattack. Jensen saw in the distance, nearly a dozen style home camouflage helmets making their way up to the position. Setting up several maxim machine guns on heavy slits. He knew if he was able to set those up there would be able to sleep in and take. It let out a blood curdling cry and trudged forward to stop the, attack the drum attack and stop the terror attack and potentially save the. Hill first awardwinning for the marine corps and he was also the body count. When i found that i i want to know who the other men were. He was at that point the unknowns found me and i spent years uncovering their story, which is a untold story. It is a untold story within multiple untold stories. Theyre hidden in plain sight. The two mid south has a incredible history. But its history in plain. Site its the back story behind the two, who are the people who were selected to bring back the remains, how the unknown was elected. All of these stories are moving into a single story. A narrative history that is so cinematic, it brings you to world war i, through the eyes of the men, most decorated enlisted men in the world, who saw some of the toughest action. Nearly every major battle. But the general when he selected his eat by, bearers selected individuals from the armory, navy, and green quartz. And then within that he selected individuals from the common specializations of combat engineers for instance. These are guys that built things. They blew things up, and in the case of Thomas Saunders whos in the, book and native american, given some of the most difficult assignment in the war, had to breach a wire with only a pair of wire federal. And breach the, why are making it whole allowing the rest of the infantry to go through. You have the calgary. Its hard to believe, but there are a man of troops and france, and one of our Great Stories of body bearers, harry, taylor who was practically born in the saddle. A cowboy that was raised in wyoming. And taylor fought with the first cavalry at the beginning of his career was involved in numerous conflicts and then found himself in france, training men in 21st division, while blessed, vision makes a epic charge, suicide charge that in the news are gone, one of americas bloodiest battles. There is also the infantry. Samuel. One of americas most decorated police. Theres the heavy guns. This is the forgotten aspect of world war i. There were real guns in france. And heavy artillery. One of the butter bears is represented there. The field artillery. I forgotten print in many ways. These are men that were in most cases french 75 are two pieces that moved up with the infantry in some cases they were in combat with the infantry as they moved up and provided close artillery support as infantry advanced this is america went from an army of about 220,000 regulars, to an army of over 4 million strong at the end of the war, it is a extraordinary story of growth, in a time of great need, and we mobilized. But one part of the story is a forgotten story. That is the story of the navy in world war i. America navy in world war i. In 1917, and much 1917, president wilson had a real threat on his hands. Germany votes were sinking american ships and i alarming rate. Even before entering world war i there was a decision made to bring people guards onward merchant ships, to armed them with typically five inch guns, and give the merchant ship a crew of about navy personnel. This were not as a navy guards. One of them would change the it tough man from massachusetts, his body was inked with the ships that he served on. He had been serving since 18. His life was the navy. He was given command of evil gun crew on the uss, isis companion merchant ship. Their journey in 1917, in the summer of 1917 was actually going pretty well. Until, midsummer, they were making their way back to the United States, and all of a sudden, a torpedo nearly hit the ship. It was then quickly followed by artillery fire. The men man the guns and then began to respond. The ship was crude by a expert, keep him in his name was, lieutenant captain hickman who had sunk nearly 40 naval ships from the allies at this point. Now his prey was the uss companion. The lady went into action with his, crews they made their guns in the started to fire. But the captain of the boat was quite knowledgeable on the various. What ensued was a cat and mouse chase for hours, both sides fired their guns at each other as the companion try to flee the battle space. Eventually, the boats rounds were able to hit the side of the companion. One near the engine compartment, his man were firing so many brands that theyre eardrums began to believe. But they reenact of ammunition, and several of the ships he decides to strike his killers and surrender his vessel. The boat moves in closely, they go right by the actual row boats that they are in, nearly wiped them out as they go so closely. Then they have a boarding party that goes aboard the companion, they set several charges. But before they do, that they read the food locker. Life on board was very harsh. They only had canned goods or whatever they could bring aboard once the journey began. The journey was also dirty and filthy. The engines on board the u boat 61 let off a lot of. Grease inside the boat there was something called boat sweat, literally constant station would be on the boat and it would get on the mens clothes, it would get in their clothes, their body, everything. The first thing they did when they got on board the campana was they look for so, the gossip they try to clean themselves off, and they also look for anything of intelligence value, and they detonated the ship and sink. It at that point, the men, including james, were brought on board. Six of the men brought on board u both 61. The man is a remarkable figure. He speaks english, he begins to question james, and heres a meeting of two men, they both become, i wouldnt say that there is a friendship forms, but theres a Mutual Respect that is formed including respect with the clues. His crew and his men enter with the men in the u winter. If youve ever seen that movie dost boat, its a World War Two version of a u boat undersea. This is a world war to both of what james goes through. They are depth charged. They have the insurance known as a q boat. A merchant ship that the allies have thats disguised as a worship. Its designed, as soon as the u ship surfaces to reveal hitting guns and attack the u boat. They go through a minefield and its just a extraordinary story. I wont tell the entire story. I will tell that at the end of the voyage, both crews lined up for a photo. And what james telling didnt know, and with the other americans that day was that u both crew were all walking dead men. Because in a matter of this or months they would never be seen. Again these are the powerful stories inside the unknowns, that took me hears to on earth, including, here some of the street were found here in the National Archives, as i enter. Thumb another incredible story is the story of the 49th company of the marine corps. The next to me is not the 49th company. It is actually two five. Second battalion, fifth marines. But their story really begins at belleauwood which happened exactly hundred years ago today. I mentioned the charge this was a world war i dday that no one has heard about practically lsu or the marine corps, or you were eight world war i buff. This is where the marine corps advanced across several fields under heavy machine, began fire. But we have an before that was extraordinary. The end of may, early, june the germans had launched a major offensive geared at rome, at paris, and they were breaking through the frontlines. Literally the french army was melting. The archives talk about how it was like water. It was just evaporating. The french army was evaporating. Then from the 49th company and two, five the marines in the fifth and sixth regiment, as well as the Second Division were all being trucked as quickly as possible, along with the Third Division of the u. S. Army, into the vortex of battle to hold the line at all costs. These were some of the only reserve units at the time, and they were in many cases super divisions. These divisions were about twice the size of a french division. And sometimes even more, much larger than a german division. There were quickly rushed to the front and when they were in their canyons they saw from civilians passing them by, as well as members of the french army in some ways going down there have been saying the worst over. The pushed over to the front. And it was here that Lloyd Williams, from two five, then set up behind parts of the french army, near belleauwood, and the decision was made by colonel Kristen Brown the chief of staff of the Second Division. The french immediately commit the front door and the army, piecemeal, basically the rest of them to the line. He insisted that they be able to dig in behind the french, and shallow fox holes and, wait prepare, this potentially helped save the war, this decision. Because the marines and army were ready, as the germans advanced across the wheat fields, the french were fleeing. According to the marine corps, as well as other documents, Lloyd Williams 25 was confronted with the dilemma and said, retreat help, they just got here, they dug in, and they began to fire with their rivals. Accurate rifle fire. Was to marines for lunch men. They were able to take down the germans as the advance across the. Week they stopped, them and then on june 6th, delays cohen attack. The french order them to push forward, and its company, 14th company which i follow through the entire war is advancing towards the wheat field. The first, objective hill 140. To the season hell against all odds. I mean many of these men are killed as they cross the wheat field. They take the hill, jensen survives, is badly wounded, but. Survives is able to disrupt the attack. The mint fight. Finance Company Fights through the entire war. And they are in the major, major battles that divided. About a month after belleauwood, it takes about three weeks to clear belleauwood, what happens is a newspaper reporter the Chicago Tribune is with the marines in the field, as they advance on the sixth. He shot through the eye. But before he goes, he writes his report. And the sensors, its absolutely forbidden to provide any kind of unit designation of who is in the field, but the sensors believe that floyd givens is killed on the field. He shouted eyes. Badly waited. They dont know but hes actually alive, they believe hes dead. So they go lets let floyds report go through which identifies the marine in court. All of canada paper show that the marine corps hopes of france in paris. Of course is the army as well. But a creek to sensation. It goes viral. What happens is belleauwood, instead of just a local attack, takes on nations ignorance. The german sea the papers, and they rushed their best units into belleauwood, to try to crush the marine. Court over the course of three weeks theres a lot of fighting and casualties. But ultimately, the marine corps and the army prevail at belleauwood. The 49th Company Continues to advance. And they fight at a place called force on, a turning point in world war i when the allies go on the counterattack. Counter offensive. Theyre able to turn the tide a battle, there the germans, the war is changing, the changing nature of the. Were the 49th fight throw another battle at sandal, where the americans go on a true offensive to take down and assailant, several of the body bearers are involved in the scene battle. And one of my favorite stories and this book is a forgotten battle that the marine corps fought in and its one of their bloodiest battles. In some cases, more buddy than june six. It was caught. Ridge where the french army insisted that they would take the Second Division, to somehow sees a impregnable fortress. Here, in blanc mauve, its called that because the face of the mountain is white. It was rained with hundreds of machine guns, artillery, for over three half years the french army tried to take on this impenetrable fortress. Nothing worked. Everybody is literally all over the place. There is an attack just days, ago the french army failed to take it. They called in the Second Division, as well as the 49th company in the marine corps. One five is what they were a part of. To solve this position. Here was also another member of this book. Edward, the chicagoan. And all of these body bearers, a lot of them converge on malt block. The field, engineers the, infantry theres stories all converge as they attack the seemingly impregnable decision. To have to go across the mall of open ground. The bodies of the french are littering the area. They literally go by. One of the positions were in a, row its all dead frenchman. At the tip of the philly is a freshman with. Appeared a large frenchman in a beard that has his eyes wide open to his pointed at the germans in her. They passed them and they continue to attack. And it is a remarkable story. The seas mount blanc on the first day, and they go over the bridge the next day, and they continue to fight in the position known as the box. It was at natural killed so that the germans had created and men in the 14 and company were stuck in this position. They were shelved mercifully with high explosives. Machine gun bullets putting them in gas. And they were in this position as they tried to attack the german line. And its a extraordinary story of heroism and courage. In many cases, they are out numbered. They hold eventually, the position is consolidated, and one of my body bearers in the league of american, thomas, saunders is pushed into the line as a scout. Hes gets up in the early position to penetrate the wire again. But these are just some of the stories that are in the book. I think saunders is a extraordinary story. He receives the french and the attack at mall blanc ridge where his to go against a very fixed position that the germans have at the end of this field. And native americans were unfortunately subject to many of the stereotypes and warlord to. They were looked at as amazing warriors. And in that sense, they were given some of the most difficult combat assignments. And saunders was an exception. He was given the assignment of a scout, in this position, i blanc wont fridge. But also as a wire cutter, to cut the wire and use the small hand qatar to reach a hole in the wire to allow the rest of the infantry to go through. Going back a little bit about a month, at sam gayle, he was told to breach the wire there across no mans land. I cant even imagine this. Going across no mans land alone, which you need a partner. One man, and they were given the wirecutters to cut a hole. This for a long hope, to reach a hole in the wire. They make it through the wire, and they advanced further than any other ally troops. They keep pushing forward, and they are able to, its quite extraordinary, they make it to a german headquarters position is that is in a castle. Deep behind german lines, they are able to capture 63 german soldiers, single handedly, through their efforts. But these are the stories that are in the unknowns. And ill talk about one more story, in the book. Thats a story of charles oconnor, who is also with the navy. Charles lee oconnor, he is given one of the lowly is jobs in the navy, he is a water tender on the uss mount vernon. And the mount vernon is a captured german jet vessel. In world war i, we had very Little American shipping. He was diminished. It was almost at civil war levels, in some cases. There was a great need for shipping. We need to take the american troops and the american, army that we were building over to france. There was a race to quickly build ships. But another thing that is quite curious, that isnt really documented in many places, is that there were a number of german vessels that tried to find safe harbor, in the United States at the beginning of the war. They knew that the United States was a neutral nation. They were afraid of france and englands navies, as they crossed the atlantic. So they tried to find a safe harbor in the United States. One of those was the ss crown prince castle. But it was a german vessel, that was nearly the size of the titanic, it was an ocean liner. But the german vessel also how to seek heated secret, it was carrying millions of dollars of gold bully, and from germany. It captured the ship, it goes in into the bar harbor, maine, and it is seized by the government. And the crew in the passengers are returned. For a year the ship languishes, and eventually, its just a little too tempting of a target. The ship seized along with all the gold. And the ship is renamed the uss amount vernon. A navy ship a troop transport. And charles lee oconnor is assigned to the ship. The ship makes multiple voyages across the atlantic. In september 1918, they are making their fifth or sixth voyage across the atlantic, they are carrying troops from the American Expeditionary force, many of these men are winded. They are carrying a congressman. But theyre also carrying the played, influenza is running rampant across the dex of the uss mount vernon. Things look pretty good, though in the sense that they have somewhat contained the virus, even though many of the crew members are falling victim to it. But the voyage looks pretty good on the way back. They have never had any kind of hostile activity, up until this point. And then all of a sudden, that morning there is a rainbow. Into the experience manners of them out burn in, its an ominous sign. I had literally, sure enough, about an hour later, a torpedo slams into the side of the mound vernon. Rupturing a massive hole in the boiler, where Charlie Oconnor is tending the boilers. Hes shoveling coal. His body is a mountain of a man, built on the fact that he was shoveling coal in every day, on this hot hellish environment, of the mount vernon. Thousands, tens of thousands of gallons of water are rushing into the compartment. His body is nearly burned alive by the boiler, the centers that are coming out coming out of the border oiler. Hes being hit by massive amounts of water. Hes got to make a splitsecond decision. There are men inside of his compartment. There is also watertight doors that needs to be closed. Does he saved his life, does he say the man in the apartment, or does he save the ship . And that is a dilemma. That i will leave you with. Well have to read the book. But, these men all come together. They come together on the field of battle, and in some cases, the final night of the war, four of these body bearers come together. They also come together, on november 9th, 1921. They bring back the remains of the unknown soldier. The unknown soldier in world war i, and our unknown soldier is not our own concept. France and england were the first, and in 1921, they established terms of the unknown soldiers. To honor all that had fallen. It was an opportunity to recognize all that had fallen. It was also an opportunity to provide closure, for those nations, and the sacrifices that they had made. We didnt have one in the United States. There was a hope, but all 2200 americans that would earned aid to fight that were unidentified or unknown to be identified. The army blissfully believe that was possible. It wasnt until 1920, then an editor from a very popular womans magazine, marie maloney, who was the editor of the delineator. She suggested to the War Department that we needed an unknown soldier, that we needed something that represents all that had fallen, all of those who had fallen from the American Revolution to world war i, to provide closure. Its about who we are as americans. She was able to convince the War Department, but also she created a movement. The New York Times picked up on the story, the ap and a young congressman named hamilton fish, from new york city. He was a white officer, in what was known as the harlem hail fighters. A segregated, African American and puerto rican unit, that fought bravely and heroically in france. Fish decided it was time to recognize his men, and all of those who had fallen in world war i. And spearheaded a campaign to get through the tomb of the unknown soldier. Got through the finding in the bill. President wilson signed it. A year ago goes by, in its 1921, the four major cemeteries in france, which contain unknown soldiers, the remains are removed from each of these cemeteries. At bellow would, at san miguel, were saunders and all the other mens fight, at the where many of these men battled. The sum, the four remains a removed, theyre carefully check to make sure there are no docked, eggs letters, diaries, anything to identify these individuals. And at that point, the grace registration, people burned the tickets that revealed where these individuals were actually removed from. So its impossible to identify who these individuals are. The four remains are brought back to jerome, friends, where a french honor guard greets them, along with other dignitaries. They are placed in city hall. They are flag draped, and there is a procession. The next day, the unknown will be selected. The plan is initially, to have a general officer from the United States make this election. The last second though, they french say, we used irregular grunt. A man that had just had been through the trenches, that had been through this whole. There were six men that were escorting the body that night, including edward younger, from chicago. Each of these men had revealed their records of service during the war, and that night edward younger was selected to choose the unknown soldier. He woke up that morning, and had this awful responsibility on his shoulders. The men that had been through with the ninth infantry, near foe, near bill it would, through the attack at a hail, the final day of the war, where they crossed the muse. This dough boy that had seen it on, was given a bouquet of white roses. Chopins funeral dirge was playing in the background. The floor of the room was littered with white petals, and edward f. Younger slowly walked into the room and nervously wasnt sure who to select. He made a quick prayer. I found the original notes and typewritten account at the National Archives and National Personnel records center, which reveals exactly what he felt and how he felt as he walked nervously in between the caskets. He looked at the flag and said, that was sublime. His hand, his hand was guided towards one casket. It was an almost immovable action. He was guided there. He felt that the man in the casket was somebody he went over the top with you that man, that he knew that man. At that point the selection was made. The body was moved to le havre, france, where the great ship, the uss olympia, was waiting. The men brought the casket on board the uss olympia, and the olympia made the voyage across the ocean, the atlantic, to the Washington Navy yard, right here at the pier. Right here at the pier. The pier is still here. The eight body members assembled and removed it. The photo on top is this exact moment i am describing. The casket was greeted by the body bearers, general pershing, president harding and other dignitaries. It was brought to the rotunda where it lay in state. Then on november 11, the same day the war to end all wars ended, november 11, the body was removed by the body bearers, placed on the same caisson that carried president lincoln, and they made the journey on foot to Arlington National cemetery. Here in this procession was a remarkable procession. All of the medal of honor recipients from world war i were there. The men, many of the civil war veterans that had received the medal of honor were present and walking in procession. President harding was there, wilson was there, general pershing, who was supposed to be mountained on a white horse, decides to walk as a common mourner behind the casket. The men bring the casket to arlington. And here, this is meant to bring groups in the United States together. History is meant to heal. The great stakeholders in the country, the naacp, the ar, the various members of government and even the french, all common. They present their finest honors, their greatest metals. The medal of honor is presented to the unknown. Words are said. The body is brought to Arlington Cemetery and is lowered into the ground in one of the desk and one of the final people to speak is an american indian, a chief. It is meant to heal. The entire moment, a man that had fought the u. S. Government. Thomas saunders, whose father had fought and grandfather had fought the United States government who now served, were laying to rest in our greatest memorial, the unknown. Dirt was shoveled from france into the open hole, and the body was laid to rest. This is our greatest war memorial. This is who we are as americans. It is also about a forgotten generation. The world war i generation that changed and remade the world, and that is why i wrote the unknowns. Thank you very much. [applause] i will be happy to take your questions. [applause] folks, if you have questions, please go to the microphones. I, very good top, i correct in saying that the supposedly unknown they open up the casket . Is there any chance that could happen with [inaudible] the unknown from vietnam was identified, the families felt strongly that individual was their son, and dna analysis was performed, and he was reentered with full military honors and identified. I think its unlikely that this proper dna in the data system to identify the unidentified from world war i, this possible degradation and contamination. Theres a lot of issues. But the biggest thing is this is a national symbol. It to me are as americans. Its why we fight. It represents who we are. I think that is why its incredibly important. Congratulations on your books success, and for saving this really important part of our nations military history. My question isnt pertain strictly to the unknowns, does your book make any mention of legendary fighting 69th fighting regiment, or receive the medal of honor in world war i and would predecessor in the cia special Operations Command in world war ii . It. Does the book title is some of the greatest heroes who brought him home, but it also include some of the greatest heroes, charles with a loss battalion, and also cruel, colonel donovan in the 69th. The Second Division fights in his era, in the news hour gone, this is the largest battle of america and one of the bloodiest to. If you picture the opening scene of saving private ryan, this is with these people to go. Through they were fixed positions, bunkered, machine guns, and colonel donovan in the fact of 69, federer, duffy and many of these other extraordinary individuals across this field. And they are taken out in many cases. These very very tragic. Donovan is shot in the leg. The book chronicles his experience there. And what is ex jordan area and interesting is that this experience changes his life. Instead of frontal, assaults, he feels that theres a better way that would cost less lives. In world war ii, General Donovan is first the core neater of information, which is the predecessor, of all, assess which is the predecessor, which most people dont realize, the predecessor of most of americas special Operation Forces and this is born in the trenches by gerald donovans activities. His ideas. What motivated him comes from his experience in world war i. And what i mean by that is if you look at the u. S. Special army forces, the green berets, their direct hurt comes from the operational groups from world war ii. Many of these are donovans ideas himself. The oasis maritime unit is the navy seals. I wrote a book called for, seals which chronicles their extraordinary story where you know a medical student from the university of pennsylvania, who tankers in the summer with old gas masks and bicycle pumps, developed the first operational rebreather for the United States. And the navy seals are born literally in a pool in the hotel only a few blocks away from, here which has the largest indoor pool in a test or a breather. Jack taylor, a dentist from northern california, woolly, who is a screen writer for pay vermont but also a Liaison Officer with the british government. Theyll get together. A collective group of individuals to develop the seals. This extraordinary story. Taylor even survives a german concentration camp after he parachutes behind the lines. But the story of the oh ss, is a story thats hidden here in the National Archives. I spent 20 years digging through literally cubic miles of records. Some of that had never been seen since the war. To reveal these extraordinary stories. Yes. Can you talk a bit about the tradition of the silent gird . Was that done simultaneously, when the unknown soldier was rested . What is the background from the perspective of that . You, know right after world war one, there wasnt a tomb guard. Theres basically the tumors there, the picnic, theyre the vandalized it, then in the 19 thirties there was a tinkered. I think its better. If i let one of the people that are some are our finest american sort of answer that story. Richard, would you like to sort of take that on . [inaudible] when it started, was it a tradition from europe, france, so the u. S. Has that. Either countries [inaudible] is american, that the idea of a unknown as patrick has mentioned started with france, pretend, and then the United States. And other countries followed as well. But the tomb guard as you see it is strictly eight american tradition and the United States army. It begins as Justice Patrick mentions, at first there was no need for any protection, but as time went, on people began to treat it as a place to visit, and then picnic, and then even sit on it. And it was one gentleman, i believe its a navy officer witnessed it. Literally went over to the white house, back then you could just go over and visit the president. And he said a few things to him which started the guarding process, which was first the civilian guard, and then the United States army is chosen to take over the military undergird. Thank you 36. Im going to say was a 37 . [inaudible] i have the former sergeant to remind me of the states. They start a 24hour guard. I think its also important to recognize that this is a 24 hours a day, seventies a week activity in any weather situation. You know richard, can you sort of describe some of the things that you endured, that i mean even be staying this gets into what it is like to be a member of the undercard tomb of the unknown soldier. I was there from 1963 to 1965. You have intensive training, and that is intense in many different levels, mental, emotional, physical. But then they prepare you for what you will experience, when they think you will experience while you are on a match. What happens to you out there really starts to shape you finally as what we referred to as two guards. Examples would, be as patrick reminds me, i on occasion, walking in the summer hours, as i was beginning to cross the mat, i was stung by a be on my ear. And as it mentioned to patrick, i have never experienced pain like that then or ever since. My had literally exploded with pain, but because of the kind of training you have, and you have a very profound understanding of who you are, and which are there for, you dont break. We take great pride in the fact that we never, break and we never quit. Youre there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Having said all, that there are two things i would like to quickly say. One, this is nothing compared to it our men and women experience in combat. As tough as it gets out, there as challenging as it, is the second thing and the most profound thing is it is not about us. We are representatives of the American People. What is going on out there, and with this is really about as the sacred duty of the American People to never, ever, forget those who have served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict. And we will never forsake those who are out there yet and we havent found them. This is with this is really all about. It is what defines us. Patrick said, it defines us as americans. Because what we are really projecting is the question of why. What is it that connects us to those who serve today, and those who served in the American Revolution . Lincoln talked about it as his electric court speech. The principles defined in our founding documents. Thats really what connects us, and thats really whats going on out there. We appreciate the recognition for our service. Were proud of that. Theres no mistake about it. We are also humbled by that trust. Beautiful. I just want to say, i just met richard two weeks ago. I met him on a radio show. And npr, he came up to me and he said i would like to shake your hand. I have been wanting to shake your hand for two years. Really . I read your book. Washingtons immortals. I was blown away by that. Then he said i traveled by eight old house every day. And that old house contained one of washingtons greatest immortals. Kathy watkins. He was a statuesque over six foot two and a height. Member of the Maryland Line that fought in every major battle of the American Revolution. It fought in the americans terribly in brooklyn where theres a masquerade of these incredible americans. But he noticed in one little line in the book, the name of watkins home, it was sort of a footnote almost. He didnt realize it that was the house that he had been passing every day for years. He went to the house. You went near the house. Covered in breakables and bushes was gassed we watkins grieve that had been hidden in plain sight. History hidden in plain sight for all these years. He organized you know, eagle troop, and others, and on memorial day we went home and we talked, we spent some time with watkins and we honored his grave and the eagles kept erected flagpole. For me thats what this book, the unknowns, washingtons immortals is all about. Its about who we are as americans. Its about recognizing history in plain sight. Its about that we recognize every day. I will take the next question. I enjoy immensely learning about some of the unknowns. Someone asked, thinking about the same question i did. You mentioned there were four unknowns. This gentleman picked one. Whats happened . Where are the other three . Now the other three have been reburied. They are marked as unknown soldiers, that were part of that ceremony. Theyre in france. They are all in the same place, in france. The grieves are next to each other. And yeah, i havent visited their graves, they are still there. Thank you. Thank you. We have one more. Right of time . Thank you so much. [applause] the 14th or italian. I was a proud man, i was so happy that i was participating in the greatest war in history, but i still couldnt understand the segregation. Many of uslt