ARLINGTON, Va. — A proposal to replace the cracked and weathered white marble monument that crowns the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery has stirred up a years-long controversy.

The always-guarded tomb to the nation's war dead — which includes remains from Hawai'i — is a potent symbol of sacrifice and patriotism and the above-ground monument, which has cracks running 48 feet around it, is the most visible part of the memorial.

Congress authorized the tomb in 1921 to honor the unknown dead of World War I, which had ended three years earlier. On Nov. 11 that year — then known as Armistice Day and now Veterans Day — an unidentified American soldier from the war was interred in an underground vault.

For years, Army officials have studied the idea of building a replica because of concerns that the damage, which is getting worse despite repairs, is distracting from the monument's solemn appearance. Moreover, officials say, replacement marble is becoming scarce and should be secured now.

Congress got involved last year, and U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, sponsored successful legislation requiring the Army and Veterans Affairs Department to reassess the options.

At the time, Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, cautioned against taking any action that would "irrevocably affect" the monument.

"Many believe it is a symbol that cannot be replicated and should be considered in the same vein as other imperfect symbols of our heritage, such as the Liberty Bell and the Star Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired our national anthem," he said.

In an August report on the reassessment, the Army said it would again repair the monument while a final decision is being made. The repairs would cost about $65,000, while a replica monument would cost about $2.2 million.

"The importance of preserving that tomb as long as possible is paramount," said Tom Sherlock, the cemetery historian. "The decision has been made to repair as much as possible and to only ultimately replace it if that becomes a necessity in the future."

Preservationists and others argue that repairs should continue because the original monument conveys a symbolism that a replica cannot duplicate.

"The Tomb of the Unknowns is the most important war memorial in America, bar none," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "It is iconic in the regard in which it's held by all Americans, but especially veterans and families of those who have died in our country's wars."

Moe said the latest Army report was a victory of sorts.

"We are not totally satisfied with this, but for at least this go-around, we seemed to have persuaded them to repair it and not replace it," he said. "It is important to have the authentic tomb that was there when the first remains were interred."

Akaka said he believes the monument should be repaired rather than replaced.

"The Army recognized in its own report that removing and replacing portions of the original monument would 'diminish the integrity of the monument's design, materials, workmanship and association with the Tomb of the Unknowns,' " Akaka said.

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