TWENTY-ONE STEPS: GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

TWENTY-ONE STEPS: GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER by Jeff Gottesfeld. Illustrated by Matt Tavares.

Twenty-One Steps is one of my TOP PICKS and is the very moving picture book dedicated to the remembrance of the Unknowns, the soldiers who died on the battlefields and remained "nameless and faceless," and the guards that watch over them.

 In 1921 one such unknown was brought home in remembrance of all. He lay in state in the Capitol where many passed by, especially those who had family members that were left behind. He was a way for them to grieve and say goodbye to their sons and fathers. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Over time a few more joined him in the tomb representing the unknowns from other wars.

The book goes into the honor that is shown to these men 24/7 by the special group of soldiers that watch over their tomb. They are called Sentinel Guards, and they are an elite group of soldiers whose goal is one thing - perfection. They have stood guard uninterrupted since July 2, 1937 when they first began their post.

This book is one of those books that helps us to be grateful for what we have and for the men and women who serve to protect us.