The U.S. Army has granted a former infantryman from West Potsdam and a fellow guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier access to film a documentary at the Arlington, Va. landmark.

Ethan Morse, formerly of West Potsdam and now studying media production in Los Angeles, had enlisted in the Army and served at Arlington National Cemetery, first on burial detail and then in the prestigious position of ceremonial guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

Morse and his friend Neal Schrodetzki, who also served in the Tomb Guards, have the permission of the Army to record the training of the guards and are raising money to produce the documentary.

The training of a “sentinel” at the Tomb can last from six months to over a year. This film will cover the exacting training the guards must master to attain the required perfection in presentation.

“We both understand what a project like this will mean to America” says Morse. “The sacrifice of the Unknowns represents the selflessness that makes our nation great. We’ve been granted access to Arlington and The Tomb in a way that the public has never seen before.”

They report that the project has begun to gain momentum through media outlets in Southern California.

To fund this project, they are using a “group funding” web site called Kickstarter.com, which hosts creative projects for things such as films and inventions. The site places a deadline on raising funds for a project, with pledges accepted up until the final minute. Backers of the project receive authentic gear and collectibles for their support.

Morse and Schrodetzki are trying to raise a total of $15,000 over a total of 45 days, to fund the initial sequence of their series.

“We're using Kickstarter to get out to Washington D.C. and film for three weeks with a crew of four. We’ve received an amazing response in our first week,” says Schrodetzki.

Some of the incentives include copies of the documentary, supporter polo shirts, and a collectible challenge coin.

Everyone can follow their project at Kickstarter.com under “The Unknowns,” and help them in their endeavor.