As we honor the service and sacrifices of the Veterans of the United States this Veterans Day, we also commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Mansion’s connections to the Unknown Centennial run deep because it was the ship U.S.S. Olympia, the namesake of the City of Olympia, which brought the
remains of the first Unknown from World War I to the U.S. in 1921 from France.

GMF honors that legacy through the original U.S.S. Olympia’s presentation silver on loan from the U.S. Navy to the Governor’s Mansion courtesy of the City of Olympia. There is also a model of the Olympia on display at the Mansion. The silver and the U.S.S. Olympia story are highlights of docent tours. Historically, Olympia residents also provided a special plaque for the Olympia, which is still moored in Philadelphia.

View a video about the arrival of the Unknown Soldier to the U.S here.

We also invite you to enjoy a special reading of a commemorative poem on the occasion of the Centennial presented by actor Gary Sinese here.

GMF Program on the U.S.S. Olympia silver is available here.

Never forget.