Posted on 06/01/2018 1:28:58 AM PDT by BeadCounter
The nation took this past weekend to remember all the young men and women in military service who died serving our country. I have conducted many Memorial Day services over the years and still feel the impact every time I do.
And I shed some quiet tears each time. I am an army veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict. My company was exposed to Mustard Gas.
That is a horrible experience. It is like a blow torch scalding through every gut in your body. Two young soldiers died right next to me. The rest of the company died within a short time of their discharge. I was the only one in my company who survived. And I've fought severe health problems ever since.
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6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
... 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at renewamerica.com ...
Their requirements are beyond extraordinary, and I think it’s fascinating to realize how elite the guards there are.
I have gotten to see multiple changing of the guards from being on Honor Flights. It’s the highlight of the trip for many of the vets.
All I can say is,wow. I didn’t know any of the details but I would like to see it someday. My grampa was gassed in WWI. He suffered sinus problems till death in ‘78. He fought the Turks and had his leg half shot off. I didn’t know that until one day our family was camping and he wore shorts. He had a big crater in his calf. I’m glad that he told us stories of that war and have passed them down to my son’s.
I only spent a few minutes searching, but I could find no stories regarding the use of mustard gas in the Korean War.
Does anyone have a link to any information on that?
BS. They can drink when off duty.
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The good Rev. Miles appears to be factually challenged.
https://tombguard.org/society/faq/
Is it true a Sentinel must commit for two years 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.
No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a 18 months. However, there is NO set time for service there. Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have a living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts. If they are of legal age, they may drink except while on duty.
Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives?
Again, another false rumor.
On my dad’s Canadian family side a great-great-uncle was gassed. He was badly affected and died shortly after the war, I think in 1920.
Re mustard gas in the Korean war ... doesn’t make sense from multiple angles. If the commies had gone chemical, we would have gone nuclear. If they were going to use mustard, why not use the much more lethal nerve agents they (at least the Russians) had by that time?
The Nothh koreans and then the Chinese soundly defeated the Us Army over and over and over. The reason was lack of American Generalship at all levels.
When Mc Arthur and his flunkies were trashed, the situation was reversed.
No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a 18 months. However, there is NO set time for service there. Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have a living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts. If they are of legal age, they may drink except while on duty.
Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives? Again, another false rumor.
We worked on "trip guns" for the same reason, 1 soldier tripping +2 (or more) to manage and care for him.
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace...
I've seen this before, but I seriously don't understand the purpose of not being able to drink off-duty "for the rest of their lives..." I also don't understand why they couldn't swear.
These "requirements" sound Puritan and from a bygone era. I don't doubt that these soldiers are committed, but I don't think they'd be judged if twenty years after they served, someone saw them drinking a beer or glass of wine.
Pure B.S. As someone else observed, if the ChiComs and Norks had used gas, we would have responded with artificial sunrises across the peninsula. The Korean War was brutal, but there is no factual evidence of chemical weapons use by the bad guys.
“Two guys died next to me.” “The rest of the company died shortly after their discharge,” and “I’m the only survivor” can be easily refuted—and should be. Someone ought to verify that the good Reverend actually served.
My dad was an intelligence office in Korea. I know his “specialty” was war crimes investigations. I “think” he would have mentioned some of this to me.
What is your specific objection to men who wish to commit to a form of devotion involving exemplary behavior? It is in the honor tradition such as knighthood or priesthood.
Yes. I know what it is. I just did not think it was used in Korea.
Thank you for posting the truth.
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