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Tomb of Unknowns to be repaired, not replaced

The Army Corps of Engineers and Arlington National Cemetery have decided to repair the Tomb of the Unknowns rather than build a replacement, Sen. Jim Webb announced Friday.

Webb, D-Va., and Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said they “applauded the decision” to repair visible cracks and other wear and tear on the white marble sarcophagus, according to a press release from Webb’s office. Unknown war dead from the nation’s 20th century wars are interred or honored in the Tomb, which also honors all U.S. troops who do not return from battle.

The cracks now measure nearly 48 feet in combined length, according to a September 2008 Army report spurred by a Webb-Akaka amendment to the fiscal 2008 defense spending bill. The report analyzed alternatives to address the cracking problem. The cracks are still repairable, the Army found, although it also considered replacement.

“I am pleased the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to repair rather than replace the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Webb, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. “This decision ensures that the historical integrity of this unique memorial will be preserved for future generations of Americans who visit the tomb to honor our men and women in uniform who gave their lives for our nation.”

“The commitment to restoring the authentic monument is consistent with the best of American traditions: We do not discard our national treasures,” said Akaka, a World War II veteran. “I applaud the Army and the Arlington National Cemetery for making the right decision, and thank my friend Jim Webb for his work on this issue.”