Arlington National Cemetery - "Where Valor Proudly Sleeps"

Weezie's FoxHole ^ | unknown | unknown

[SAMWolf]

[SAMWolf]

"Here Rests
In Honored Glory
An American Soldier
Known But To God"

The Tomb of the Unknowns, near the center of the cemetery, is one of Arlington's most popular tourist sites.

The Tomb contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War. Each was presented with the Medal of Honor at the time of interment and the medals, as well as the flags which covered their caskets, are on display inside the Memorial Amphitheater, directly to the rear of the Tomb.

The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great thread, Sam. Thank you.

FINAL INSPECTION

The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass.

"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The Solider squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just to steep,

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

--Author Unknown

[MistyCA]

Thank you for this wonderfully informative post, Sam! May God continue to watch over the souls of those unknown to us who gave their lives in the service of our nation.

One thing that really surprises me in this day and age is the height requirement. Thank goodness such things are not sold out in the liberal efforts to "level the playing field." I have seen, as I know you have, the lowering of standards throughout our nation and I am always horrified to see policemen who look like the best thing they might be able to do if confronted is run like hell. The continual efforts to lower standards bothers me to no end. So when you speak of the very high standards required to be a Centinel for the unknown soldier, I pray to God that it remains that way forever.

Thanks again for bringing yet another important subject forward. You do good work, SamWolf! :)

[MistyCA]

Nice post, Victoria. See you guys tomorrow! :)

[Bahbah]

""Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Thanks to all our military. We know and we care and we are so grateful.

[Pippin]

What a wonderful thread, Sam!

I love the history and the dedication and presentation.

God bless you and all our troops and veterans!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for this really nice article/post, Sam !

While guarding, the sentinels remain under complete concentration, marching twenty-one steps, turning to face the tomb for twenty-one seconds, turning to walk twenty-one steps back down the 63 foot black mat which is replaced every Memorial Day. The twenty-one steps and twenty-one seconds are meant to reflect the highest military tribute, the twenty-one gun salute.

More than 260,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War and Somalia. Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.

More.....

[error99]

I have visited Arlington 2 or 3 times. It is an awe inspiring place. I made sure I took my kids there when they were old enough to grasp the reverence there. One thing you brought to my mind in this article that I "knew" but never really thought much about is that the honor guard mans their post 24/7. In the wee hours of the morning, with no "tourists" or anyone else around, these men guard these tombs. Oh, the thoughts that must go through their minds... This duty must have a lasting effect on those that have had the honor to be assigned there. Thanks for posting this thread. Thanks to all of you who have served. God bless America.

[SAMWolf]

Thnaks for the link Meek. Some interestnig facts there.

The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were disinterred May 14, 1998, and were identified as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael J. Blassie, whose family has reinterred him near their home in St. Louis, Mo. It has been determined that the crypt at the Tomb of the Unknowns that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain empty.)

[SAMWolf]

I've never had the honor of visiting Arlington. It has to be awe inspiring. The men who earn the right to wear the Honor Guard patch have every right to be proud.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for posting "Final Inpection".

I hope the requirements are never PC'd. It's bad enough that our Police and Fire Departments have been forced to lower standards in the name of Political Correctness.

[error99]

It is well worth the trip.
Dzien dobry.
error99

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning Sam

I'll see you later in the day have to go away for a bit.

[SAMWolf]

Good morning Bentfeather.

[aomagrat]

Bump

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the bump, aomagrat

[Johnny Gage]

Greetings everyone, here is something I wrote about a death of a covert Ops soldier.
It applies to the Tomb of the Unknown even more.

____________________________________________________________

In Honor of the fallen unknown:

There are soldiers in many places

For some, we're allowed to see their faces

For others, are required to stay hidden

and do the orders that they are bidden.

If a known, brave soul's life comes to pass

we're told who he is and that he's home at last

If a hidden one dies while he's doing the plan

he's known only to his family and not the average man.

He's on a covert mission, so we are told

He died a soldier's way, and his life was bold

He's a hero to us, in each and every way,

because he died protecting the U.S. of A.

By David K.
(aka Johnny Gage)
October 29th, 2002

[SAMWolf]

That's good writing Johnny. You should submit that for publication.

[Soaring Feather]

Tomb of the Unknown

Wonderful Johnny, so very true, great work!!!!