Marching in perfect unison, seniors Mat Miller, Tyler Van Deusen, Tyler Boyd, and Ryan Eilerman step forward and place a wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a breathtaking view of Washington ahead of them.

This year marks the eighth year that JC students had the opportunity to perform the laying of the wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery is one of the stops on the senior’s annual trip to Washington, D.C.

Every day, several times a day, a wreath is laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by civilians. As part of their annual trip, seniors witness the occasion while their classmates lay the wreath. Senior Project Coordinator Teacher Louise Geczy organizes JC’s involvement in the ceremony each year.

All four of the seniors who took part in the ceremony plan to incorporate the military in their futures.

Eilerman and Miller are both attending the United States Naval Academy in the fall. Van Deusen and Boyd hope to participate in Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) at their chosen universities.

“It was such a great experience. I’m so glad Mrs. Geczy gave me the opportunity to do this,” Miller said.

“It was really an honor and not many people get to participate in it. I will always remember this day. The military community holds it in high regard and having the chance to participate meant a lot, especially since all of us have hopes to enter the military,” Van Deusen said.

“I started our participation in the ceremony about eight years ago when I heard it was possible. I thought it would be a meaningful experience for JC students,” Geczy said.

Getting the opportunity to perform this ceremony takes months of preparation from Geczy. “I send in my written request for us to be able to do this a year in advance, I’ll probably send next year’s this weekend,” said Geczy.

Last year seniors Elisabeth Kearby and Ian Jansing-Kaestner participated in the Laying of the Wreath ceremony. Kearby had plans to participate in ROTC and Jansing-Kaestner planned to enlist in the Marines.

“At the time I was all set on ROTC and fulfilling my career as someone to serve our country in that way. So it was definitely an honor to thank all of the veterans that died for our country and also see my future. It showed me that that’s what I really wanted to do. It was an unbelievable experience. I remember standing there and their playing taps and I could see all of Washington, and I had to choke back tears knowing how great of an honor it was to not only represent John Carroll but also our country,” Kearby said.

The Tomb of the Unknown or Tomb of the Unknown Solider has never properly been named and stands as a memorial for all of America’s fallen whom authorities could not identify. There are separate tombs for World War I, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

“It was an honor to have the opportunity to give respect to those who paid the ultimate price and have not gotten the proper respect,” Eilerman said.

Allison Walczyk is the Section Chief for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.