On a tree lined street in Philadelphia’s Old Town, you will find a brick walled park where people gather in the mornings for guided yoga. Here you might find a little boy chasing a squirrel as his dad tags along behind. There might be an elderly couple sitting quietly as they take in the world around them.

These are some things I saw in Washington Square one late summer morning last year. We were intrigued by this place with its mix of old and new and a monument of some sort on the other side of the square. We were surprised to find ourselves standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.

Despite the city’s commitment to preserving history, it never even occurred to me that such a thing would exist. This memorial honors the soldiers who died during the Revolutionary War. It was humbling to learn that many of them were buried in mass graves right here in this square. 

There’s a statue of George Washington and an eternal flame. The tomb includes remains which were disinterred from beneath the square. The plaque on the tomb, which was completed in 1957, reads “Beneath this stone rests a soldier of Washington’s army who died to give you liberty.”

There are other words carved into the side of the tomb. The phrase that resonated most with me is a phrase from President Washington’s farewell address in 1796. “The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts of common dangers, suffering and success.”

The other quote I liked best reads “Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness.”

My friend knelt on the ground before the monument and watched the flicker of the eternal flame. I stood, drinking in the sights, smells and sounds of this place that felt so sacred and so important. I was grateful there were no crowds to muck up the peace and reverence of this place. Yet, I was pleased to realize that this sacred ground appeals to those who seek a place to reflect as well as a young man with his small child who hopefully is teaching that youngster to respect the past. 

After all, everyone prospers when we all remember the progress, accomplishments, failures, and sins of our own past. 

We took our time here. It was a beautiful, reflective place to pause. On this cold January day when the nation has a conflicted view of who we are and who we ought to be, I’m glad I had that morning to reflect and to silently thank those brave soldiers who gave all while fighting for a vision and a dream for the life democracy would give their families. 

Washington Square and the tomb are part of Independence National Historic Park. There are tons of opportunities to interact with the past. This is just one of them. I hope you will someday find your way there to tour Independence Hall, to admire the Liberty Bell, and to sit where Betsy Ross worshiped. It’s an eye opening trip.