I can't speak of the other branches. But the Army soldiers you saw today on both coasts were members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry....The Old Guard.
They are the guardians of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.
They also conduct all interments at Arlington.
And on sad days like today...they are charged with burying our great leaders.
If I remember correctly the other branches of service have cimiliar kinds of honor guards based in D.C. and they draw from them for these type of ceremonies.
The band that played tonight at the final service as the Air Force Band of the West! Not sure where they are stationed now with all the base closings in CA.
The AF Honor Guard contingent is at Bolling AFB, DC.
Best Officer's Club in the Air Force -- bar none. Best food, best atmosphere -- it would be though because of all the AF rank living on the base.
My father was telling me about this just today. He said that the men & women in the honor guards did not have any other job.
He only served as an honor guard once during all the years of military service in the Navy, when they were ordered to bury some of the dead on Fuji during WWII. I have a picture of him during the burial, absolutely awesome!!
The thing that impressed me most during this week was the honor guard. What a special group of men & women. Makes me so proud to ne an American!!!