Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard visits Imagine

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Following Army code, Benjamin Bell has never touched the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery — even though he has guarded it thousands of times.

But as a retired tomb guard of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, Bell could still describe the honor of protecting the monument, which is dedicated to American service members who died without their remains being identified.

Bell, a 33-year-old Winter Haven native, spoke to eighth-graders at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch April 28, as a way to inspire and inform the students before they travel to Washington, D.C. May 3 through May 8.

In a first-time trip offered by the school, about 30 eighth-grade students will travel to the nation’s capital. Roger Meadows, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Imagine, thought the monument told best the value of being an American, even though students’ sights won’t be limited to the tomb.

“The more connections students have with history, the better they remember it,” Meadows said.

The eighth-graders have learned all about U.S. history this year, after learning about the function of the government in seventh grade, so they had been exposed to the history of the tomb before Bell told his story.

Bell’s tale seemed to inspire.

He is a proud owner of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, the second-least awarded decoration of the U.S. military.

Since he was honorably discharged from the Army in 2004, after five years of service, Bell has worked hard to share his experience.

Bell belongs to the Society of the Honor Guard, a nonprofit that protects the image of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and, through that organization, he speaks at schools to promote the cause.

“No other country honors the dead like we do,” said Bell, who worked 24-hour shifts guarding the tomb — a time during which he had to follow strict rules, such as not laughing, coughing or sneezing. “It’s important to help people remember that what you have did not come without a great cost.”

Fast facts
• Bell said he often spent eight hours at a time shining his shoes. Appearance is important to guard the tomb.

• Bell said it takes nine to 12 minutes to change tomb guard shifts. He worked three 24-hour shifts per week.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].