Sacred Duty

A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery

By: Tom Cotton

Narrated by: Tom Cotton, Jeremy Arthur

THEIR DUTY IS SACRED. THEIR STANDARD IS PERFECTION.

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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

Tradition!

Chock full of incredible personal stories, historical references and tons of jaw dropping tradition that makes you want to look for a flag to salute. Loved it!

Great read, but get Kleenex!

I so enjoyed hearing about all of the workings of the Old Guard. What an honor to serve our countries heroes in this way. As an Army mom times two, i hope we never need your services. Thank you so much.

powerful and poignant. a must read!

A must read for any patriotic American left or right. An amazing documentary love letter to the Armys oldest and most visible unit. Read this and learn what they do for all Americans every day.

it is a Sacred Duty

having grown up near ANC, having my grand parent interred there, and my son serving in the Navy Ceremonial Honor Guard made this an excellent read.

Outstanding!

I'm a 23 year veteran of the Army and Air Force. I served with our squadron honor guard, which doesn't hold a candle to these soldiers, but it gave me a unique insight and appreciation for these professionals. I found the last two chapters to be very emotional which is probably not unusual among military veterans. I only know the author through media stories, so he is more than likely a greater man than they portray. I'm hopeful that with his help we can get our country back on track. I hope to meet him some day. Thanks to a great American!