BELPRE – Community residents attending the 10th annual Belpre Memorial Day Service on Monday learned about memorials recognizing unidentified soldiers from several wars, including the best known, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

The service was conducted by Leavitt Funeral Home of Belpre and American Legion Post 495 of Belpre at the funeral home. Several hundred people attended the service.

First Vice Commander Tom Logston presented information about the Tomb, which stands on a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”

The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, which are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.

“We salute all of them, we owe all of them,” Logston said of those who have served, known and unknown.

Those attending Monday’s service also learned about the Tomb of the Unknowns created during the Civil War for both Confederate and Union soldiers at Arlington House, the former estate of Robert E. Lee before he became a general in the Confederate Army, from Post Sergeant-At-Arms Gary Henderson.

Post Adjutant Bill Harpold said there are 27 countries containing American cemeteries or memorials, and nearly all have a section for unknown servicemembers.

With the ringing of a bell for each name, Post 495 recognized auxiliary members who have passed in the last year and post members who have passed in the last four years.

The service also included the reading of the poem “Unknown” by U.S. Navy Lt. Sierra Cox and a memorial tribute and wreath laying presented by Flo Harpold, Americanism Chairman of the Ladies Auxiliary for Post 495. There was also a rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” by Boy Scout Chase Baker.

All of those present were invited to a luncheon at AL Post 495 following the service.

Dana Fouss, manager/director of Leavitt Funeral Home in Belpre, said the annual service grew out of the installation and dedication of a veterans memorial and flagpole on the grounds of the funeral home a decade ago. Fouss said he is pleased the annual ceremony has remained a part of the Belpre community.

“It’s something that as long as I’m around, we’re going to continue to do it,” he said.