The I.O.O.F. Pilgrimage To Tomb Of The Unknowns, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C.

Pilgrimage To Tomb Of The Unknowns

The first Sunday in May has been designated for the annual Odd Fellow Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns. Department of the Army, custodian of Arlington National Cemetery, has granted permission for this date.


To honor & remember

June 17, 1934 — the first date for the Odd Fellow Pilgrimage! Purpose of this Pilgrimage was not only to honor the Unknown Soldier and the Nation's War Dead but also the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows who had made the supreme sacrifice in World War I. Credit for the Pilgrimage idea goes to Charles Lampe, who was Grand Master of District of Columbia.

On July 7, 1940, the Grand Sire, on behalf of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows presented to the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Decoration of Chivalry, the highest decoration bestowed upon an Odd Fellow. The Jewel, received by the Department of Army, is displayed in the Hall of Trophies. In 1959, two more Grand Decorations of Chivalry Jewels were presented to the Army - one for the Unknown Soldier of World War II and the other for the Unknown Soldier of the Korean Conflict. Both Jewels are in the Hall of Trophies.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Friendship, Love and Truth
Growth of this Pilgrimage has been tremendous

Odd Fellows and Rebekahs from all over our Nation, who are in Washington, D.C., at that time of each year, make a point to go to Arlington Cemetery and pay their tribute. All jurisdictions send floral wreaths to honor the dead.

This Ceremony of Remembrance in memory of those who have given their lives to preserve the “American way of life” enshrines the principles of Odd Fellowship — Friendship, Love and Truth!


Pilgrimage To Tomb Of The Unknowns Information
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Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns
Announcement Letter & General Information.
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