Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery
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A New York Times–bestselling behind-the-scenes look at the US Army unit stationed at Arlington National Cemetery.
An extraordinary journey behind the scenes of Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Tom Cotton’s Sacred Duty offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of “The Old Guard,” the revered US Army unit whose mission is to honor our country’s fallen heroes on the most hallowed ground in America.
Cotton was a platoon leader with the storied 3rd US Infantry Regiment—The Old Guard—between combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the height of the Iraq Surge, he carried the flag-draped remains of his fallen comrades off of airplanes at Dover Air Force Base, and he laid them to rest in Arlington’s famed Section 60, “the saddest acre in America.” He also performed hundreds of funerals for veterans of the Greatest Generation, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The Old Guard has embodied the ideals of honor and sacrifice across our nation’s history. America’s oldest active-duty regiment, dating back to 1784, The Old Guard conducts daily military-honor funerals on the 624 rolling acres of Arlington, where generations of American heroes rest. Its soldiers hold themselves to the standard of perfection in sweltering heat, frigid cold, and driving rain. Every funeral is a no-fail, zero-defect mission, whether honoring a legendary general or a humble private.
In researching and writing the book, Cotton returned to Arlington and shadowed the regiment’s soldiers, from daily funerals to the state funeral of President George H. W. Bush to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reliving the honor—and the challenges—of duty at the nation’s “most sacred shrine.”
Part history of The Old Guard, part memoir of Cotton’s time at Arlington, part intimate profile of the today’s soldiers, Sacred Duty is an unforgettable testament to the timeless power of service and sacrifice to our nation.
Praise for Sacred Duty
“A moving, reverent history—a tribute, really—to ‘The Old Guard’ . . . An ode to excellence and caring in service to the nation. It is an inspiring read for every American.” —Robert M. Gates
“[Senator Cotton] helps his fellow Americans understand not only the hardships, but also the tremendous rewards of service in our military.” —General H.R. McMaster, former National Security Advisor
ASIN : B07CWT9JN2
Publisher : William Morrow; Illustrated edition (May 14, 2019)
Publication date : May 14, 2019
Language : English
File size : 44056 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 314 pages
Customers say
Customers find the book interesting, amazing, and well-written. They appreciate the insight, detail, and eye-opening description of the Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery. Readers praise the writing quality as clear, easy to read, and accessible. They describe the book as moving, inspirational, and poignant. They mention the history is interesting and fascinating. Readers also say the book brings out the patriotic spirit of our country and makes them proud of our military.
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6 reviews for Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery
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Paul B. Eaglin –
5 stars well deserved
I rated this book five-stars as it is an important history of a renowned military unit that is constantly in the public eye. Mr. Cottonâs writing is highly accessible, although I do understand that some might find the detail to be challenging. I noticed that in one of the three-star ratings. For me, the detail adds to the authenticity of the history. Whether one is impressed or not with the level of detail it does serve to make the point that the soldiers of the Old Guard put in extraordinary effort as part of their dedication to the sacred duty of honoring our military dead. It may work for some while not for others, but it does say something about the strong attention to the minutest aspect of their assignments, and the persistence in maintaining their performance level for what is otherwise a repetitive task.Mr. Cotton avoids the tendency to engage in the twin banes of military writing, overuse of acronyms and reliance on military jargon. He avoids those successfully, with only an understandable nod to âANCâ for Arlington National Cemetery. The ease and accessibility of his writing style permits the reader to go through this book in little time, for it is captivating and engrossing. The highlights of the military history of the regiment were just enough without dwelling too long at various aspects. Anyone who wants more detail on the regimentâs combat history can rely on his Authorities at the end of the book.Itâs important to realize that this is not a political book, despite his status and despite the criticism in the one-star review that blasts his politics. For all that the reader can tell from the reading of this, it could have been written by an academic whose politics is unknown. Mr. Cotton leaves that out of the book completely, in my opinion. There is a singular focus on the soldiers of the regiment and dedication to their sacred duty. It is well worth the reading, and it should last for a considerable time as one of the very strong writings about this remarkable regiment and its dedicated soldiers.RLTWPaul B. Eaglin
JIM CAMPAGNA –
History of the Army and the Old Guard
A wealth of knowledge. Give’s a full perspective of what it takes to be in the Old Guard and the dedication and commitment of our men and women.
Hawkeye –
A Noble Mission, Scared Duty- I loved It!
Senator Tom Cotton spent a great deal of time creating this very well written, non-political,book for all Americans. His chapter two on the history of the âOld Guardâ (OG) is an easy read and one for American citizenry ingesting.The center of the book provides the reader with an up-close view of what constitutes the OG mission at Arlington National Cemetery. Cotton provides personal experiences to illustrate the on goings of the individuals that perform and conduct daily military-honor funerals on 624 rolling acres overlooking the Pentagon and our nationâs capitol.The author brings the reader to the US Armyâs OG obsessive/compulsive rituals and culture for perfection which maybe very appreciative of the fallen soldiers families. As a retired service member I very much appreciate this obsession! The OG expresses the nationâs gratitude to the service members for service to the nation. He then spends time breaking down the OG into various ceremonial unit components which is not known to many service members.This is not a book that will make Senator Cotton rich, it is a labor of the heart and very moving. This work is a national treasure to a ânoble mission.â We will not forget. Not many people know or appreciate the effort and expense it takes to honor our service people. I highly recommend this book to all service members and their families, American Citizens and all peoples as an example of how to honor their fallen service members.
Robert James Vandevoort (Show Low, Arizona) –
Gardens of Stone
Senator Tom Cottonâs recently released âSacred Dutyâ, A Soldierâs Tour at Arlington National Cemetery is an honorable work, which is both interesting and sad. This reader especially enjoyed knowing more about the history of Arlington, the history of the Old Guard and the chapter on The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Still, at times when the editing was not so tight, that the reader had to turn on his speed reader.It was the summer of 1991, when this reader took his two young sons to the nationâs capital, for the purpose of them visiting Arlington. The boys were three years old and eight years old. We visited the graves of famous people and not so famous. The various wars were explained to the boys. The changing of the Guard at the Tomb, was especially interesting for them. As we stood in the center of this Garden of Stone, one simply did not visualize that one day these two young boys would be officers in the United States Army; one commissioned and one senior non-commissioned.The older boy served two challenging combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. While we, his parents, were proud of the CIB and silver wings that he wore on his chest, the fear of him returning to America in a transfer case was at times frightful. Perhaps the same fear this reader’s father had during a Vietnam tour and the fear my grandfather had during his sonâs war in the Pacific.In this day and age, it seems that standards in many areas are being lowered. Thank God, that the standards of the men and women who serve in the Old Guard will never be lowered, and thanks to Senator Tom Cotton for this book.
Becky –
Great historical account of Arlington and the 3rd Infantry “Old Guard”
What a great book… the history is fascinating. The story is incredibly moving as it informs you of the history of Arlington Cemetery and the effort put into the daily honoring of our fallen heroes… they are remembered and deservedly so… if you’ve been there to witness the changing of the guard you will now know what goes on behind the scenes and the dedication of those who watch over our heroes. If you’ve not visited Arlington yet, this book will provide tremendous back ground for you and enhance your appreciation of Arlington Cemetery when you do visit… I hope you will go to pay homage to our men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us… you will never forget it and neither will your children.
Amazon Customer –
Author Tom Cotton is a classy, highly-experienced soldier, and congressman. Arlington National Cemetery is “America’s most sacred soil.” It is a wonderful place for serious reflection. Whether you can get there or not, Cotton’s book gives us valuable insight regarding the duties of the “Tomb Sentinels.” This book should be in every American home.