Latest news with #theUnknownSoldier
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Viral video shows man lighting cigarette from Paris' eternal flame
Source: Getty Images A man in Paris is facing legal action and possible expulsion from France after he lit his cigarette from the country's eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The incident took place beneath the Arc de Triomphe, a site that honors soldiers who died for France. The man, identified as a 47-year-old Moroccan immigrant, was caught on video stepping over a chain barrier and bending toward the flame. Tourists were nearby, and some filmed the moment. The footage quickly spread on social media, drawing sharp criticism from politicians and veterans' groups. French police arrested him soon after the video appeared online. He has been charged with violating a war memorial, which is a criminal offense in France. The man has been handed a three-month suspended sentence, according to Ireland's National Public Service Multi-Media Organisation, Raidió Teilifís Éireann. As per the report, admitted his actions during an expedited trial, describing his behavior as "the stupidity of the century. " France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, condemned the act on social media, calling it 'unworthy and deplorable.' He said it insulted the memory of those who had fought and died for the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Emma & Mia Are Retiring — Their Handmade Jewelry Is 80% Off Sedona Daily Post Read More Undo The French daily Le Figaro reported that the man was already known to police. He has been in trouble before. The interior ministry has announced that his residency permit will be revoked. This move could lead to his deportation to Morocco. The significance of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath Paris's Arc de Triomphe is one of France's most important symbols of remembrance. It honors all soldiers who gave their lives for the nation in World War I but whose identities were never known. The idea was first proposed in 1916, while the war was still raging and its outcome uncertain. On November 12, 1919, one year and a day after the armistice, the concept received formal recognition. Officials decided that the chosen soldier's remains would be placed in the Panthéon, the grand resting place of France's most celebrated citizens. However, the public felt the memorial should be more accessible and visible. After a large-scale letter-writing campaign, the government agreed to bury the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, a central monument already associated with French military triumph and sacrifice. The Arc de Triomphe stands at the heart of Paris, where twelve grand avenues converge, making it a focal point of national ceremonies. Beneath it, the Unknown Soldier came to represent every soldier who never returned home. In 1923, the eternal flame was lit at the tomb. It burns without interruption, representing the nation's unending gratitude and the enduring memory of the fallen. The flame is rekindled each evening in a solemn ritual attended by veterans and officials.
NBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- NBC News
Army will end most of its ceremonial horse programs and adopt out the animals
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army's history is closely tied to its cavalry units, those soldiers who rode into battle on horseback. But the service announced Tuesday that it's moving toward a future without the ceremonial horses and will put most of them up for adoption. The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors. Ceremonial cavalry units will be closed down at bases, including Fort Cavazos in Texas, whose horses were showcased during the military parade in Washington on June 14, which was the Army's 250th anniversary and also President Donald Trump's birthday. Army spokesperson Steve Warren said other ceremonial units will close at Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The Army estimates that closing down the units will save about $2 million a year, and the changes are being made as part of its overall warfighting realignment, Warren said. The Army is giving the affected bases 12 months to shutter the units. A total of 141 horses will be adopted outside the military, Warren said. Some horses may be donated to organizations, but none will be sold, he said. The horses "are part of the Army family, we're going to treat them with compassion," Warren said. The Army has just recently resumed caisson operations at Arlington National Cemetery after an investigation found the horses in those units were mistreated, left to graze in lots with little grass, leading them to consume sand and gravel. Two horses died in 2022, and caisson operations were suspended until earlier this year. The Arlington National Cemetery horses are part of the caisson platoon of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, which is best known for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the cemetery, located just across the river from Washington.
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Army will end most of its ceremonial horse programs and adopt out the animals
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army's history is closely tied to its cavalry units, those soldiers who rode into battle on horseback. But the service announced Tuesday that it's moving toward a future without the ceremonial horses and will put most of them up for adoption. The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors. Ceremonial cavalry units will be closed down at bases including Fort Cavazos in Texas, whose horses were showcased during the military parade in Washington on June 14, which was the Army's 250th anniversary and also President Donald Trump's birthday. Army spokesperson Steve Warren said other ceremonial units will close at Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The Army estimates that closing down the units will save about $2 million a year, and the changes are being made as part of its overall warfighting realignment, Warren said. The Trump administration has moved to cut costs across the federal government and directed changes at the Pentagon like reducing top military leadership positions that it says will promote efficiency. Pentagon leaders have faced pushback from Democratic lawmakers for spending on the deployment of troops to protests in Los Angeles and expected costs to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One. The Army is giving the affected bases 12 months to shutter the ceremonial cavalry units, and 141 horses will be adopted outside the military, Warren said. Some horses may be donated to organizations, but none will be sold, he said. The horses 'are part of the Army family, we're going to treat them with compassion,' Warren said. The Army has just recently resumed caisson operations at Arlington National Cemetery after an investigation found the horses in those units were mistreated, left to graze in lots with little grass, leading them to consume sand and gravel. Two horses died in 2022, and caisson operations were suspended until earlier this year. The Arlington National Cemetery horses are part of the caisson platoon of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, which is best known for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the cemetery, located just across the river from Washington.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wiregrass veterans tour war monuments in the nation's capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDHN) — Several Wiregrass veterans had the chance to visit the nation's capital to see the monuments that honor the sacrifices made by our troops overseas. Funded and orchestrated by Wiregrass Honor Flights, these veterans were able to visit the Arlington National Cemetery, where they watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There, our local veterans were celebrated and thanked by other visitors for their service. After that, the group toured the World War II memorials and the Vietnam Remembrance Wall. Many of these vets served overseas in Vietnam and Korea, making this part of the trip rather personal. Robert Anderson, a retired Vietnam Army Pilot, saw the names of his friends who were killed in battle, a moment of nostalgia and sadness. Anderson recollected those men, including one with whom he had roomed. 'I hated to see him go, we lost another buddy about two weeks later in combat there. You always wondered, and being this close, I wanted to get a trace and see this wall because I know all of these folks gave a great sacrifice to be on this wall, even though you'd rather they weren't.' Afterward, the trip ended at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington. There, the veterans were treated to a special performance from the Air Force Honor Guard Drill team. Followed by a meet and greet with that drill team. For many Vietnam veterans, returning to the United States after their tour was a battle of its own; those soldiers returned home to find that some Americans didn't view them as heroes. Some of those soldiers were spit on or yelled at, due to the visceral response to a war that had become a nationwide political issue. But Wednesday's trip was solely about honoring the sacrifice they made for our country decades ago. 'After the way I was treated when I came back from Vietnam, this day has been wonderful. I just can't believe people are so nice, it makes me feel very good,' said Army Veteran Lonnie Daniels. Our veterans then returned to the Wiregrass Wednesday night, welcomed home with a ceremony at the Daleville Cultural Arts and Convention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unknown Soldier the focus of new Canadian War Museum exhibition
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of Canada's most powerful symbols of remembrance. And now the Canadian War Museum is adding a new level of poignancy with an exhibition beginning this month and running until May 2026. The commemorative panel exhibit will mark 25 years since the repatriation of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. 'Presented through 18 thoughtfully curated panels, this wall display highlights the history and legacy of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which has become a site of reflection, tribute and collective mourning,' the museum stated in a news release. 'It also explores the ongoing role of his tomb in national remembrance.' 'The Unknown Soldier's anonymity makes him a symbol of all Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice in war. Forging a connection between past sacrifices and present-day service, his tomb offers a space for everyone to grieve, reflect and remember those lost in war.' 'Visitors are invited to reflect on sacrifice, loss and remembrance while deepening their understanding of how Canada honours those who served.' The commemoration will also underline the link between the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Memorial Hall at the Canadian War Museum, where the Unknown Soldier's original headstone is preserved and illuminated each Remembrance Day. The Canadian War Museum, which traces its origins to 1880, is the country's key repository of military history and one of the world's most respected galleries for the study and understanding of armed conflict. Since 2005, it has been located on the LeBreton Flats site in downtown Ottawa. Its collection includes more than three million artifacts, works of art, written documents and much more.
