The Unknown Soldier's voyage home, remembered

On Oct. 25, the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia hosted a ceremony aboard USS Olympia, marking the 100th anniversary of the historic warship's transport of an unknown American soldier from France to the United States.
The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performs on the signal bridge of USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performs on the signal bridge of USS Olympia. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
The U.S. Navy Band plays the national anthem on the top deck of USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
The U.S. Navy Band plays the national anthem on the top deck of USS Olympia. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
A member of the U.S. Navy Band sounds taps following the ringing of the bell of USS <i>Olympia</i>, marking the moment the Unknown Soldier was carried aboard 100 years ago. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
A member of the U.S. Navy Band sounds taps following the ringing of the bell of USS Olympia, marking the moment the Unknown Soldier was carried aboard 100 years ago. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
Brig. Gen. Walker Field of the Marine Corps University, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and ceremony emcee Spc. Austin Daringer, from left, salute the colors. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
Brig. Gen. Walker Field of the Marine Corps University, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and ceremony emcee Spc. Austin Daringer, from left, salute the colors. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
Members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, which guards the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, lay white roses at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
Members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, which guards the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, lay white roses at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS Olympia. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
Kerry Bryan of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia lays a white rose at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat during transport aboard USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum</i>
Kerry Bryan of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia lays a white rose at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat during transport aboard USS Olympia. Photo by Daniel Kennedy, Independence Seaport Museum
Lou Cavaliere, commander of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia, renders honors after placing a white rose at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat during transport aboard USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Patrick J. Hughes</i>
Lou Cavaliere, commander of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia, renders honors after placing a white rose at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat during transport aboard USS Olympia. Photo by Patrick J. Hughes
Chaplain Ed Berna, Second Vice Commander Andy Waskie and Adjutant Craig Nesbitt of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 render honors at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS <i>Olympia</i>. Philadelphia Inquirer <i>photo by Jessica Griffin</i>
Chaplain Ed Berna, Second Vice Commander Andy Waskie and Adjutant Craig Nesbitt of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 render honors at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS Olympia. Philadelphia Inquirer photo by Jessica Griffin
Frank Brodsky, left, and Albert El of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia flank Jewish War Veterans National Vice Commander Nelson Melitz as they pay tribute at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS <i>Olympia</i>. <i>Photo by Patrick J. Hughes</i>
Frank Brodsky, left, and Albert El of Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405 in Philadelphia flank Jewish War Veterans National Vice Commander Nelson Melitz as they pay tribute at the spot where the casket of the World War I Unknown Soldier sat aboard USS Olympia. Photo by Patrick J. Hughes
Post 405 Commander Lou Cavaliere presents a replica set of marble bookends to Brig. Gen. Walker Field, president of Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. The bookends are made from marble that came from the Vermont quarry that provided marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. <i>Photo by Patrick J. Hughes</i>
Post 405 Commander Lou Cavaliere presents a replica set of marble bookends to Brig. Gen. Walker Field, president of Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va. The bookends are made from marble that came from the Vermont quarry that provided marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Patrick J. Hughes