Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation

04/05/2026

Please consider allowing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation to compete for your charitable donations. We are a small, veteran, and all-volunteer IRS-recognized tax exempt foundation. With the exception of very limited administrative expenses (PO Box, stamps, the required registered agent, website, etc.), donations go toward program expenses. Our leadership also tries to set an example, personally leading volunteers and being our primary donors.

Scan the QR code, go to https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TombFoundation, or send a check to PO Box 409, Simpsonville, MD 21150.

If you'd like to ask detailed questions about our finances before contributing, send a note to our executive director at [email protected].

04/04/2026

Would you like the opportunity to walk across the plaza at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and lay a flower at the Tomb?

Please join us on Sunday, 24 May 2026, for Flowers of Remembrance. Members of the public are invited to walk onto the plaza, standing where routinely only Tomb Sentinels and senior military leaders stand, and lay a flower. You will find it a poignant and moving experience that we hope will help you understand the higher meaning of the Tomb and enjoy a deeper connection to the service and sacrifice it represents.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization is executing this event from 8 AM to 4:30 PM in Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, 24 May 2026. The Foundation will provide you a flower free of charge.

05/07/2025

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) has released their notice of the Flowers of Remembrance Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Sunday, 25 May 2025. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation will be there, distributing flowers to the public and engaging with those in line.

Don't miss this unique and powerful opportunity to stand on the plaza at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As our president says, "Watch people as they depart the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; they leave profoundly changed."

Take a look at this short video that Arlington National Cemetery released: https://lnkd.in/e9PYhn5E

ANC's release reads, in part:

Arlington National Cemetery is honored to announce the fourth Flowers of Remembrance Day, to be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Sunday, May 25, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Because of your organization’s valued connections to the cemetery, we invite you to participate in this unique opportunity to place a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Flowers to place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be provided by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation; visitors should not bring their own flowers. Registration is not required. (We appreciate ANC noting our contributions to this ceremony.)

04/19/2025

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation could use your help.

We are a small nonprofit that survives on small contributions. We try to set an example of stewardship with any money you donate...
>ALL of our board members, executives, and staff work for free
>To date, most of the money donated to our foundation has come from board members, executives, and staff

Unlike some other nonprofits, we don't:
>Spend money donated to us to buy from a for profit business owned by a relative or friend of any foundation leaders
>Require that you donate to participate in any of our endeavors

If you'd like to consider donating, you can follow this link: https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/donate.html
OR
Go to https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tombfoundation

If you want more information about our programs, send us an email at [email protected] .

Thank you.

We are not an element of nor endorsed by Arlington National Cemetery or the US Government ​

03/14/2025

We believe that visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier profoundly affects people. The Tomb unites our country; it embodies what connects us and transcends our differences, helping us:
>Ensure those who served, serve, or will serve will never be forgotten, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice or who never returned
>Reunite America with the sense of patriotism and principles that define our national identity
>Renew a national ethic of service to our country

Our apolitical charitable organization could use your help. Please consider donating to us by vising our website and clicking on the DONATE tab https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/donate.html
or going to PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tombfoundation

Why should you consider donating?
1. We're an IRS-recognized 501 (c) (3) charitable organization incorporated in Washington, DC, so donations are tax deductible
2. We're listed on GuideStar, so you can see various aspects about our organization
3. Our mission is to rekindle our country's sacred duty to never forget or forsake those who serve and sacrifice for America
4. Your donations would be targeted at our two highest priority programs:

>Flowers of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on 25 May 2025.

This is a unique opportunity for members of the public to walk onto the Tomb plaza and lay a flower there.

We provide volunteers, procure and distribute the flowers, interact with the public as they wait in line.

This is the chance to experience the Tomb in person and to engage with members of our team so we can discuss the higher meaning of the Tomb and the impact that's had on us.

>Operation Electric Cord (a phrase borrowed from President Lincoln).

This is our effort to create a "tool kit" for educators and students to learn about the Tomb and acquaint them with service and sacrifice to our country.

There's a virtual part of the "tool kit" that we're building on our web page that will provide lesson plans, multi-media products, and links to other organizations' products.

We're working to get a physical part of the "tool kit" in addition to the virtual part. We'd like people accessing Operation Electric Cord to have something tangible that they can hold in their hands.

We're happy to provide more information about these and other programs. Go to our website at:
https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com
or send an email to [email protected]

Thanks.

03/14/2025

Arlington National Cemetery formally approved our proffer to support the Flowers of Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, 25 May 2025. This ceremony will allow the public the unique chance to the plaza at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and lay a flower. Our foundation will organize volunteers, procure and distribute flowers to the public free of charge, and help clean up after the ceremony.

If you would like to take advantage of this special opportunity, go to the EVENTS tab on our website at https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/events.html and check for updates.

We are not an element of nor endorsed by Arlington National Cemetery or the US Government ​

02/21/2025

Arlington National Cemetery has approved a Flowers of Remembrance Ceremony to take place on Sunday, 25 May 2025, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This is a once a year opportunity for members of the public to actually walk onto the plaza at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and place a flower there.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation is planning to support this ceremony by providing flowers to members of the public free of charge, engage with persons waiting in line to lay a flower, and assist in the set up and clean up of the ceremony.

We'll soon publish on our website more information about how people can volunteer with us. We'll also point you to Arlington National Cemetery's information about how to participate in the ceremony as a member of the public.

Go to our website: https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/
and click "Events" to see more information. We'll be updating soon.

02/17/2025

Are you looking for something unique and honorable on Sunday, 25 May 2025, in the Washington, DC, area?

Stay tuned. You'll see a public announcement soon.

02/12/2025

02/12/2025

Our foundation is focused on rekindling our country's sacred duty to never forget or forsake those who serve and sacrifice for America.

What does that look like?

Check out our website to see what we've done, what we're doing, and what we'd like to do. Go to:
https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/
and
https://www.tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com/events.html

See if there's an effort that appeals to you and you'd like to assist.

If you don't see something that appeals to you, let us know what we could be doing.

We are not an element of nor endorsed by Arlington National Cemetery or the US Government. ​

06/05/2024

Any idea how to be a successful officer in the US Army? There are a few keys to success, but one big one is to be teamed up with great NCO teammates. Eighty years ago, as our Army prepared for D Day, I think there were plenty of officers thinking the same thing. Eighty years from now, there will be plenty of officers still thinking the same thing. Thank you to all the NCOs who were my teammates and particularly to two platoon sergeants, five first sergeants, and four command sergeants major who I was fortunate enough to call my battle buddies.

One of the worst kept secrets in the US Army is how critical NCOs are to success. As we close in on the 80th anniversary of D Day, the senior NCOs with whom I've worked get my salute. I wish I had been half the Soldier they always were. The great 1SG Zeb Hill pictured dispensing wisdom.

06/05/2024

On this day before the 80th anniversary of D Day, here's a quick tribute to Radio-Telephone Operators (RTOs) in an infantry company. It's the job nobody wants, but that requires great troopers who are smart, in shape, tougher than woodpecker lips, and willing to put up with officers. (Yuck!)

These 3 men had one of the hardest jobs in a light infantry company-they were commander's Radio-Telephone Operators (RTOs) in combat. Think you're tough? Try doing what they did...along with a few of their teammates who'd moved on from the RTO job & back into a platoon. Thanks, Guys!