Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 3: A Servant of the Unknowns

Indiana native Bill Hanna served on the guard of the Unknowns (also known as the sentinel) from 1996 to 1999.

Sentinels are forbidden to touch  he tomb out of respect and to protect the tomb from anyone with the intent of damaging it -- with deadly force if necessary.

When Hanna enlisted in the Army, he had hopes of being an airborne infantryman.  However, he ended up in a presidential escort unit and then volunteered for sentinel duty in 1996.  he says:  "You are below the Unknowns and anyone else who comes to visit in the terms of the citizens of the United States, you are a servant of theirs and a servant of other veterans who have given a lot more than you have in most cases."