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SPRING 2017 / 9
Ruth Hanks ’10 links an unbroken
chain of soldiers marching before a
sacred American monument day and
night, regardless of weather.
The U.S. Army staff sergeant
earned the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier Identification Badge in 2016
and serves at Arlington National
Cemetery. She is only the fourth
woman in history to earn the
badge—out of 646 badge honors—
and the first since 1998.
“It’s one of the highest honors I
could achieve,” said Hanks. “I’ve
been called a role model for other
women, but I’m just an Army
sergeant who wants to do my part in
honoring these soldiers.”
Hanks, who was a soccer standout
at BSC, joined the Army in October
of 2011 and completed military
police training. She joined the
Honor Guard in 2015 after a 2013
deployment to Afghanistan and is
now a commander of the relief. Her
duty begins at 5 a.m., when she
prepares her uniform for the first
ceremonial walk, and doesn’t end
until completion of relief at 7 a.m.
the next day.
Being a Tomb Guard takes time,
attention to detail, and heart, said
Hanks.
“During each guard change,
sentinels strive to match their
movements with each other in
perfect unison,” she said. “From the
measurements on our uniforms to the
synchronous steps of our feet striking
the granite to the 21-second intervals,
each motion we make conveys the
respect we have for their memory.”
Hanks, a native of Waco, Texas,
played four years as goalkeeper for
the Panther soccer team, making
95 saves in 39 games. She found
her calling under the mentorship of
BSC Professor of Biology Dr. Scot
Duncan and worked in the forestry
service after graduation. She wanted
to serve her country, however,
continuing a tradition as a member
of a military family.
“The three soldiers whose tombs
we guard gave everything for our
country—even their names,” said
Hanks. “Tomb Guards strive to
honor their sacrifice and guard
their resting place to the best of our
abilities. And that’s what we do.”
fresh off the hilltop
Preserving honor
Alumna guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier