Maj. Gen. Zana Ends Distinguished Career with Final Shift at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Maj. Gen. William Zana, the only Tomb Guard to reach the rank of general, honored his retirement by working one last shift at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. On the night of May 31, at precisely 10 p.m., Zana strolled onto Arlington National Cemetery's marble patio for one more two-hour watch. It was a tribute to his 37-year military service, which began when he joined the Old Guard as a Pvt. Zana, a formative chapter he dubbed "defining and shaping."

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Zana's career as a Sentinel in the early 1990s brought him from Arlington to leadership positions such as joint task force commander and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa leader. He retired as the National Guard Bureau's head of strategic plans at the Pentagon, but his Tomb Guard background remained crucial to his career.

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Zana had a close connection to Arlington; he buried his first wife and companions there. He reflected on his career, "Being at the Tomb was about honoring sacrifice and inspiration." His final shift was a melancholy homage, expressing appreciation and closure as he returned to civilian life.

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