Riders laying wreath at Civil War monument

A fortuitous set of circumstances has led to an impressive honor being bestowed on The American Legion Riders.

On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the Riders will lay a wreath at the Civil War Unknowns Monument located near Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery. The monument houses the remains of 2,111 unknown soldiers from the Civil War, and was dedicated in September 1866 after the remains of soldiers from various battlefields were reinterred at Arlington. It was the cemetery's first monument to unidentified soldiers.

The Riders originally had requested laying a wreath at Arlington’s more well-known Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the same day, but a mix-up with the date made that impossible. However, the Sergeant of the Guard suggested to the event planner that they lay a wreath at the often forgotten Civil War monument instead.

The Riders – supported by the Old Guard Combined Armed Forces Color Guard – will conduct a formal wreath-laying at the monument on May 23 at 1 p.m. A bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” will play at the event. Honored guests at the ceremony will include Gold Star families, American Legion dignitaries and Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, chancellor of the University of Richmond and a U.S. Marine veteran of World War II. Heilman, a member of the Legion Riders, is currently traveling 6,000 miles across the country on his Harley-Davidson to celebrate the end of World War II.

The Riders and their guests are invited to depart from American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Va., via a motorcycle convoy or chartered bus. To sign up for either, click here.