Soldier Takes 21 Steps Into History

In crisp Army dress blues, pants with creases tight enough to cut, Sgt. Heather Lynn Johnsen walked into history Friday morning when she took 21 precise steps behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and turned to face the memorial with a sharp click of the heels of her shiny black shoes.

For Johnsen, that salute marked the end of a long journey.

“There is no higher honor or greater honor. I can’t think of anything greater to do for my country,” she said earlier after receiving a sterling silver laurel-leaf honor guard badge.

After 388 men before her, Johnsen became the first woman to guard the Tomb where four unknown combat victims are buried - one from World War I, one from World War II, one from the Korean War and one from Vietnam.

For many years, the Army would not permit women to serve on the honor squad because “The Old Guard” Third Infantry Division that does the job is a combat unit.

Then, two years ago, the secretary of the Army ruled that women could serve in the 25-member squad that guards the tomb in 24-hour shifts.

But until now, no woman has overcome the arduous hurdles placed before honor squad candidates.