Join Philip Bigler for a discussion of his two books “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A Century of Honor, 1921-2021” and “In Honored Glory: Arlington National Cemetery the Final Post” at Onancock Baptist Church Friday, May 10th. Philip’s event is $10 for members and $15 for not yet members.

Philip Bigler received a B.A in History and M.Ed. in Secondary Education/History from Madison College and earned his M.A. in American Studies from the College of William and Mary. From 1983-1985, he served as one of the official historians at Arlington National Cemetery. During his tenure, Bigler assisted with the burial of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier and worked on two visits by President Ronald Reagan. Among his many duties were document preservation, research, public speaking, and serving as a liaison between the cemetery and various interest groups.

For over 20 years, Bigler taught in the Fairfax County Public School system. He received the National Teacher of the Year Award, the most prestigious award for a classroom teacher, in the 1998-1999 school year and was selected for the Milken Educator Award in 1999.

From 2001 through 2010, Bigler led the James Madison Center for Liberty & Learning in its mission to honor the legacy of the nation’s fourth President and the father of the U.S. Constitution. Professor Bigler oversaw all aspects of the Madison Center including academic research, public relations, and teacher training.

Bigler has written ten books on history and education. In “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Bigler chronicles the Tomb’s history from its early inception after World War I through its formalization and beautification. “In Honored Glory,” Bigler discusses the origins of Memorial Day, the construction of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the subsequent history interments, the Kennedy gravesites, and the current burial requirements. The book has been regaled as the definitive history of Arlington Cemetery. It is a human and personal look at the people, places, and times that Arlington commemorates and celebrates America’s past, present and future.