WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Cracks in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington have sparked debate on whether to repair or replace the marble.
Conservationists said the 75-year-old tomb's marble should be repaired while others said replacing the marble will better honor U.S. soldiers who died for their country, The New York Times reported Monday.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation favors repair because the cracks are cosmetic, said Richard Moe, the trust's president.
"This is probably the most important war memorial in America," Moe told the Times. "It has served since 1932 for Americans to come and grieve for their lost loved ones, and there is absolutely no reason for it to be replaced."
Under a U.S. Army proposal, the three main pieces of the 82-ton structure would be replaced with marble cut from the original quarry in Marble, Colo.
