Posted on 09/13/2007 2:48:36 PM PDT by StayAt HomeMother
"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 administrators 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.
Contact John Metzler, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery and ask him to repair rather than replace the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”
https://secure2.convio.net/nthp/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=269&JServSessionIdr007=13evrqwnu1.app5a
any more information about this? not much at link
No, I don’t know much more than what was discussed in a couple previous FR threads.
A close relative is involved in historic preservation and brought this to my attention.
Marble deteriorates over time, and will continue to do so. This has been known for centuries. If it has to be replaced, why not replace it with granite? That would seem to me to be a much more fitting monument material than marble..............
I haven’t heard about this, but I think the operative passage (see below)
should hold.
I don’t want to say that maybe somebody wants to send some Federal pork
to a quarry someplace, but...
If the one method is good enough to fix The Lincoln Memorial...
it should be good enough for The Tomb.
“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.
“
Lets us know.
This is important.
There are three very long cracks in the Tomb that will be almost impossible to repair.
They are visible to the naked eye even at the distance form where the people watch the changing of the Guard to the front of the Tomb.
Are you coming to the TOGA reunion next week?
Oh...OLD GUARD!
Thank you for your service.
Thanks for the rainy nights that you guarded.
Thanks for the snowy, sleety, and otherwise miserable nights that you guarded.
Thanks for the service in heat.
God bless.
Thanks StayAt HomeMother.
Probably be shaped like a red crescent.
I'd kind of like to have the very best box to honor the contents.
thanks, bfl
let it crumble to dust! Just thought I'd let ya'll... 
know what is what.
!975-79
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