In 2023 Zelienople received a Call of Honor to host the traveling replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Referred to as Tomb from here on). This Tomb is a life size, true replica and interactive exhibit of the actual Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. Created by the Americanism Committee of the Exchange Club of Rome Georgia, its mission, is to remind American’s of the enduring cost of freedom, that our way of life does not come without sacrifice. This exhibit and replica along with trained personnel, have traveled to 37 different states across the country.
The Tomb was escorted to the Town of Zelienople by a number of different veterans groups. Streets were lined with people, cheering and waving flags. And news stations across the region made their way to town to cover the arrival of the Tomb, and share a bit about our history, our community, and our patriotic celebrations. Zelienople Historical Society, the Rotary Club, and Zelienople Borough worked jointly to erect a tent to cover the exhibit, fundraise and place flags throughout Four Corner’s Park.
The Americanism Committee reported to our Adel Fatur, that of all the towns to host the exhibit, none were as welcoming and supportive as Zelienople. We asked Adel, of the Zelienople Historical Society what it means to have received this Call of Honor. “We are honored to receive the Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a second time. Freedom doesn’t come without sacrifice, and there is no better reminder of that sacrifice than this”. If you add up the battle deaths alone for all of the conflicts since the founding of The United States of America, the number is a staggering 651,032 lives lost. This number is based on the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs website and their published statistics. If you count deaths after battles, deaths from disease, and accidents, the number grows much higher – closer to 1.2 million lives lost.
The Tomb will once again be hosted in Four Corners Park in Zelienople. The opening ceremony to receive the Tomb will be on Friday July 3rd. Ahead of this ceremony we will be collecting flags and asking for volunteers to place them in Four Corners Park. More information on this initiative will follow.
The Tomb will be available for viewing through the weekend with the exhibit closing on July 5th. To Donate to support the travel of the Tomb please make checks payable to “Zelienople Historical Society America 250” and mail them to:
Zelienople Historical Society
243 S. Main Street
Zelienople, PA 16063
For questions and ways to get involved, please visit our contact page.