JROTC Cadets Participate in the Laying of the Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery

Story by: Donna Hahn
Photos by: Donna Hahn

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 20th, 2023, selected Cadets that participated in JLAB 2023, had the honor of participating in the Laying of the Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Cadet Rasmussen from Vilseck High School, Cadet Rubalcava from North Side High School, Cadet Miller from Saint James High School and Cadet Kozar from Huntington High School were the selected Cadets to participate in the ceremony. 

Cadets that attended the 2023 JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) in Washington, D.C. also had the opportunity to watch the changing of the guard before and after the wreath laying ceremony. 

The selected Cadets that participated in laying of the wreath ceremony also received a private tour of the quarters of the soldiers that do Changing of the Guard.  While on this tour they learned the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as more important facts surrounding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  This time of year, the Changing of the Guard happens every half hour.   While in the soldiers’ quarters they watched the soldiers get ready and help assist the next soldier for their guard duty.  These Cadets witnessed firsthand the amount of detail these soldiers go through before and after the Changing of the Guard.  It was an amazing event for all of the Army JROTC Cadets in the audience during the Changing of the Guard.  It was a special honor for the selected Cadets who participated in the ceremony.