Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“A moving, reverent history—a tribute, really—to ‘The Old Guard’ … An ode to excellence and caring in service to the nation. It is an inspiring read for every American.” — ROBERT M. GATES

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.

“[Senator Cotton] helps his fellow Americans understand not only the hardships, but also the tremendous rewards of service in our military.” —GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER, former National Security Advisor

This landmark book on U.S. Army history reveals the untold story of America’s Regiment:

• A Firsthand Account: Experience these solemn duties through the eyes of Senator Cotton, who served as a platoon leader with The Old Guard between his own combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The Old Guard: Go inside the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, America’s oldest active-duty regiment, and witness the standard of perfection required for their no-fail, zero-defect mission.
• Arlington National Cemetery: Walk the hallowed ground of our nation’s most sacred shrine, from the state funeral of a president to the quiet grief of Section 60, ‘the saddest acre in America.’
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Stand watch with the Sentinels who guard the Tomb around the clock, and learn about the tireless effort and devotion behind their famous, silent ceremony.

“A wonderful book about Arlington National Cemetery and the men and women who serve with such love and devotion.” - DONALD J TRUMP President of the United States

“Poignant. … An encomium to the martial virtues as embodied by [Cotton’s] former unit, the storied 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment—the Old Guard. … Cotton’s account of the noble regiment established at the dawn of our nation and still standing sentry over those who gave ‘the last, full measure of devotion’ to the republic is a welcome reminder that those virtues still exist somewhere in America.” - Commentary

“A moving, reverent history--a tribute, really--to ‘The Old Guard’ … An ode to excellence and caring in service to the nation. It is an inspiring read for every American.” - ROBERT M. GATES, former U.S. Secretary of Defense

“Sacred Duty deserves a wide readership. This book is a fitting and well-crafted tribute to the soldiers who render honors to fellow warriors who serve and sacrifice to protect our nation and our way of life. In telling that story, Senator Cotton also reveals the ethos that connects warriors to one another and the citizens in whose name they fight. He reveals the bonds of trust, respect, affection and willingness to give the last full measure of devotion for freedom and for each other. In doing so he helps his fellow Americans understand not only the hardships, but also the tremendous rewards of service in our military.” - GENERAL H R MCMASTER former National Security Advisor

“Fascinating. ... [An] inspiring, much-needed book.” - Claremont Review of Books

“Sacred Duty deserves a wide readership. ... Well-crafted. ... Reveals the ethos that connects warriors to one another and to the citizens in whose name they fight.” - H.R . McMASTER, former National Security Advisor

“In this meticulous history, Arkansas senator Cotton explains the role and duties of the Third Infantry Regiment, aka the Old Guard, at Arlington National Cemetery. ... This reverent account will please readers.” - Publishers Weekly

“A must-read. ... Sure to appeal to patriotic Americans of all stripes.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Sacred Duty is an important and often moving book for soldiers, those who have been soldiers, and those who know and love soldiers. Indeed, it offers a unique insight into that ephemeral thing, the soul of the Army.” - Army magazine

“Sacred Duty is an important and often moving book for soldiers, those who have been soldiers, and those who know and love soldiers. Indeed, it offers a unique insight into that ephemeral thing, the soul of the Army. … Cotton goes into fine detail about the standards, training and practical requirements set for members of The Old Guard’s officers and soldiers.” - Army magazine