Arc de Triomphe

by: Rebecca May Davie

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, is almost as synonymous with the City of Lights as is the Eiffel Tower. Movies depict daring drivers as they circle the great monument at breakneck speeds. A recent event covered the entire arch in fabric, honoring artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Daily, visitors strive to climb the stairs for the view from above. Through these arenas and more, many see the 162-foot tall and 150-foot wide Triumphal Arc from around and on top. Rather than looking within the typical scope, let's take a gander from another angle.

Base: Underneath the Arc lies the tomb of the unknown soldier. With World War I, repatriation of fallen soldiers became difficult. The volume of lost lives caused France to bar this practice and inter soldiers in the countries where they were slain. To provide a location for French families to mourn, France repatriated and buried one unknown soldier from WWI. On Armistice Day, November 11, 1920, the Unknown Soldier was laid to rest beneath the Arc de Triomphe. This soldier represents the French service members who were not identified and those who were buried in other countries. The eternal flame burns in their memory. The inscription reads: “Ici repose un soldat Français mort pour la patrie 1914-1918.” Here lies a French soldier who died for the Fatherland.

Looking up: Peering at the underside of the arch, lists of generals' names can be seen on the arcades at the sides. The attic above features 30 shields engraved with the names of the main victories.

The Arc as a structure honors the individuals who fought for
France and died during the French Revolution as well as the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon I commissioned the arch in celebration of the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. The first stone was placed on his birthday in 1806. The construction spanned 36 years. He did not see the completion of his project.

On the outsides of the Arc are four relief sculptures. The "Entry of Napoleon" is visible in the photo at left. The other three sides feature "The Departure of the Volunteers" or "La Marseillaise," "The Battle of Austerlitz," and "The Conquest of Alexandria."

Going up: After climbing 284 steps, a small museum is available to peruse. It contains interactive exhibits explaining the history. Climb 40 more stairs to ascend to the roof.

On top: from the observation deck there is a 365 degree panorama of the twelve streets emanating from the Arc. This location at the western end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées was named Place de l’Étoile (Star Square - because of the streets meeting at the circular plaza - renamed Charles de Gaulle Étoile. The 19th century Haussmannian architecture is easily seen from this vantage point. The majority of these buildings are six stories high with similarly shaped roof structures, stone facades, and second floor balconies of wrought iron with elaborate stone around the windows. Major landmarks are visible such as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Montparnasse Tower, and Sacre Coeur.

            

Several events transpired at this edifice over the years. Many important French figures such as Victor Hugo have lain in state at the Arc before they were buried. Soldiers marched in victory, both German and French. The last major soldier parade occurred in 1945 after the end of World War II in Europe.

Today, the Arc serves the purpose of honoring victories and the fallen. In addition, it provides people with history and a view of the city. Personally, I enjoy the sights from this location more than from atop the “Iron Lady" (Eiffel Tower). 

The next time you see an image, video, or clip in a movie of the Arc de Triomphe, perhaps you will remember the meaning behind the symbol. Men and women fought for freedom. While the victories are celebrated, we also honor their sacrifice.

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 75 Plans on the Bible.com app.


At left, Rebecca visited the top of the Arc de Triomphe for the first time in the summer of 1991. Bottom Right is the latest visit from a 2022 research trip with fellow Heroes, Heroines, and History blogger, Cindy Stewart. All photos in this post were taken by Rebecca and friends.

Rebecca lives in the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. If it were up to her, she would be traveling - right now. As a member of ACFW, FHLCW, and Hope*Writers, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. She is working on her first fiction novel. This story unfolds from the 1830s in Northern Georgia.

Connect with Rebecca:

Clubhouse Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest Twitter Website

Known But to God

Linda Farmer Harris

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, Company E — "The Old Guard"

In researching mansions in the Arlington Virginia area, I read about the Custis-Lee Mansion; also called the Arlington. House.

Its construction began in 1802 and was intended to be a living memorial to George Washington. After a fascinating history filled with political notables, the grounds were appropriated for a military cemetery in 1864. The property is now administered by the National Park Service. Over 250,000 people are interred there.

 I enjoy Jeopardy and watch reruns as often as I can. One evening on Jeopardy, the final question was "How many steps does the Guard take during his walk at the Tomb of the Unknown?" All three contestants missed it!

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch the march or the changing of the Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? Do you have family interred at the Arlington Cemetery?

Here’s what I learned about the Sentinel's walk. I had to stop and get a Kleenix^©. You might want to be prepared.

1. How many steps does the Sentinel take during his walk on the path of the tomb of the Unknown?

Answer: The Sentinel marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. The 21 steps mirror the twenty-one gun salute that is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does the Sentinel hesitate after his about-face to begin his return walk?

Answer: 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3.Why are his gloves damp?

Answer: The gloves are moistened to prevent lose of grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time?

Answer: The rifle is carried on the shoulder away from the tomb as a symbol of the rifle being between the tomb and any potential enemy. After the march across the path, an about-face is executed and the rifle is moved to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the Guards changed?

Answer: Guards are changed every hour on the hour from October 1-March 31. From April 1 to September 30 the Guard is changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits limitations of the Guard?

Answer: For a person to apply for Guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5 ' 10 ' and 6 ' 4 ' tall with proportionate build and weight.

Other requirements of the Guard

• They must commit 2 years of life to Guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

• After two years, the Guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as Guard of the tomb. As of 2004, there are only 400 being worn. The Guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

• The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

• There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Every Guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

• The first six months of duty a Guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A Guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the Presidents and other notables interred are:

• Mary Roberts Rinehart - America's first woman war correspondent during World War I for the Saturday Evening Post; wrote mystery novels, including The Circular Staircase and The Bat; in 1921 was referred to as "America's Mistress of Mystery."

•  Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee, U.S. Army - Dr. McGee was the first woman Army surgeon in 1898 and founder of the Army Nurse Corps in 1900. (section 1, site 526B

• Mary Randolph - First recorded person buried on the grounds that became Arlington Cemetery. She is a cousin of Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis, wife of George Washington Parke Custis, builder of Arlington. She wrote The Virginia Housewife, a housekeeping and cook book. (section 2, site S-6)

The Sentinels Creed: My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

In 2003, as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

All pictures courtesy of the 

U.S. Army, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

Read more about these honorable Sentinels at http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

Blessings,

Lin writes historical fiction for adults and children. She and her husband, Jerry, live on a hay and cattle ranch in Chimney Rock, Colorado. Her current historical series Voices in the Desert about the Southwestern Indian Detour Couriers is set in New Mexico. Book One: Treasures Among the Ruins features Cornelia Miller, a recent college graduate, who is searching for self-identity apart from a strong political, socially prominent family. Lin's enjoyment of genealogy and family history adds unique elements to her stories.