Spread the love

A Staff Report

Edward “Ed” Tatum, a cherished resident of the Bladen County community, is not merely an esteemed Army Veteran. He embodies the roles of a devoted husband, a loving father, an entrepreneur, and a gifted member of the renowned Wilmington Celebration Choir.

Tatum embarked on his military journey in the 1970s when he was drafted into the Army. He served with unwavering distinction as a member of the Old Guard, where his solemn duties included guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns. Tatum’s service extended to participating in induction ceremonies, with one cherished memory being the induction of General Hayes, where he had the privilege of sharing the stage with the iconic late Bob Hope.

Tatum’s extraordinary narrative even made its way to the silver screen when he was prominently featured in Ethan Morris’ documentary, “The Unknowns,” which underscored the significance of safeguarding the Unknown Tombs. These sacred monuments stand as enduring tributes to those in the military who selflessly sacrificed their lives and their identities in the service of their country during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Today, we fast forward to an exciting development as the Border Belt Independent recently devoted time to feature Tatum in their latest publication. Learn more about his captivating story by visiting: https://borderbelt.org/border-belt-people-a-qa-with-former-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-guard-edward-tatum/.

For further insight into this local hero’s inspiring journey, explore the related articles through the links below: