Decided to look up additional information about the Tomb.
Posted on 10/22/2004 10:55:01 AM PDT by pageonetoo
With all of the jaded and mean spirited headlines about the war in Iraq, the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the Presidential campaign, and let us not forget Kobe Bryant, William Kennedy, and Scott Peterson,...well, here's something that we can boast about and be proud of.
You may already know about this but maybe your friends don't.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: He must commit 2 years of his life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty. He cannot swear in public or disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on his lapel, signifying he served as guard of the tomb.
There are only 400 presently worn The guard must obey these rules for the rest of his life or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from his feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as he comes to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. The guard dresses for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
During the first six months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis, the boxer, and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII, of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
GOD BLESS AND KEEP THEM!
Brave men go where the weak fear to tread!
God Bless them...
These are our best and brightest. :)
I thought of the girly men and women that refused their assignment in Iraq, and there is no comparison... Character matters!
Excellent post.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for guard duty.
A lot of this stuff has been debunked.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_tomb_unknown_soldier.htm
Welcome to the Internet.
In twenty years of uniformed duty, I have yet to meet a Tomb Guard, past or present.
I have met President's 100 members. I met MG Dozier, held by the Red Brigades during the Cold War. I met GEN "Mad Max" Thurman, who commanded Operation Just Cause. But a Tomb Guard? I'd value that over them all.
This email is a bit of a hoax.
Some true details mixed with some absurd assertions.
I am not taking anything away from the Old Guard. They are among America's finest.
But you can't believe every email you get...
For the real skinny on the Old Guard go here:
http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html
I remember when I was twelve years old, my parents took me to Arlington National Cemetery and how moved we all were at the solemnity and honor displayed as the guard walked his post. The changing of the guard was very awe inspiring to say the least. I was back once more when I was 17 in 1983 and I can still hear the footsteps of the sentry. I very much need to get my own children to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Yeah, like, a guy can take a drink after he is no longer a guard.
Your name is accurate!
I prefer to think of these guys as honorable... and as for you... I guess you get no respect!
ditto on my #10
I live 1 1/2 hours away from DC. I make the trip to National Cemetary at least two or three times a year. It just reassures me that brave men and women exist even today!
Your hostility is amusing.
I lived my youth in eastern Pennsylvania so going to the D.C. area made for a nice day trip. Now it's a 6 day road trip from the Seattle/Tacoma area :-(
I visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in April 2003 and it was very moving. I have it on video tape somewhere.
Why thank you, sir/maam! I always try to do my best!
I spent two years on board a DD, and got to sleep well most every night! I think it is referred to as "three hots and a cot"!
Thanks to many of my friends, mostly Marines, I get reminded all too often of the sacrifices made for our country. It is about Honor!
Semper fi from a Navy guy!
I Choose the active duty route in the Navy. Did my four years from 93-97 Between the Gulf Wars. It was relativly safe for me also, but it was also something I voulenteered for and felt was my duty to do. I also understood that by signing those papers if my country decided to got to war, whether it was something I agreed to our not I was in it for the long haul. As for The Marines and ground pounders that are one the ground in close combat, I have always had the utmost respect for them. A lot times the did the unthinkable with out the propers support that was needed and achieved awesome results. Semper Fi indeed.
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