Posted on 11/09/2004 10:58:56 AM PST by stockpirate
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 his 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: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
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 uniforms 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.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve
God Bless and keep them
I recieved this mail from my daughter. It is information about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This is very interesting, and inspirational.
Well I have been had!
Thanks for posting this anyway. Had it not been for this post, I wouldn't have known to follow up on the links posted in the replies, and learned about this very honorable duty.
I've always wondered if the Sentinel on duty on Sept. 11th saw Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
Arlington Cemetary should be on anyones list to visit while in DC. Watching the change of the Guards is very moving, IMHO.
Wow!
Speaking as a former Marine, part of this may be true ... however, most of it is BS.
"and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives"
Hehe, not likely.
I learned a lot about the tomb guards from an ex tomb guard at a cocktail party.
So if this email was "just" received, does that mean it can be posted as "breaking" news"?
And yes, someone did pee in my Post Toasties this morning...
The mods have gotten on me acouple of times as I try to figure out the finer things at FR, like when not to post in Breaking news.
I recently saw the changing of the Guard on my trip to D.C. Thanks for this info.
The original post might have included a couple exaggerations, but what the guards do DO is still very impressive. My wife was once yelled at for slipping off her shoes while seated by the tomb watching a Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony. As the guard neared where we were standing, he yelled out GET YOUR SHOES ON. I of course acted as if I was not with her and had never met her in my life.
No biggie, I was sorta trying to be funny (at your expense of course!).
Heck, 'W' won... :^) Everything else is minor, at the moment.
Pshaw; it happens all the time. Like I said, regardless of the particulars, these guys are an incredible bunch.
I do now, though.
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