ALLIANCE -- The marble appears real, but what it symbolizes is very real. The three markers in recognition of the World War 2, Korea and the empty crypt from Vietnam are at the front of the half-size representation of the Tomb of the Unknown.

It is a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified.  It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, adjacent to Fort Myer just across the Memorial Bridge from Washington, D.C., according to Rome Exchange Club. The replica at the Knights Museum in Alliance is owned and managed by the Americanism Committee of the Exchange Club of Rome, Ga.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier replica will be on display at the Knights Museum in Alliance through Tuesday, October 15.

Bill King, Maj., USAF(ret.), Project Manager, spoke about the significance of the Tomb of the Unknown, how remains are chosen for the Tomb of the Unknown and how soldiers are selected for guarding the memorial.

"There is approximately 475,000 souls resting in Arlington Cemetery. It is the fifth largest of our national cemeteries. It is 642 acres. They are running out of ground space as we speak and they are now building columbariums and they will be able to accept ashes for the columbarium, they say right now, well into 2050 and beyond. Other national cemeteries like the one we have in Georgia, when it's finished, it will be larger than Arlington. It will have 750 acres," King said.

"The cemetery takes care of the burial of all soldiers killed in action. They are automatically offered a spot at Arlington. Other people who want to be buried at Arlington and were not killed in action need to meet a certain criteria, he said.

King said Arlington is also responsible for the ceremonial funeral of any presidents or government people, whether they are buried at Arlington or not.

"In 1921, they appropriated $50,000 for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Now $50,000 was a lot of money back in 1921. That same $50,000 today would be in the millions of dollars," he said.

The first unknown soldier was buried in a tomb that looks much different that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier today, King said. He added the deceased soldier was buried 40 feet underground, a lesson learned with the death of President Lincoln. 

The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center in Alliance is open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (308) 762-2384.