Posted on 11/17/2002 12:14:02 AM PST by SAMWolf
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors the unknown servicemen who have fallen in the four major U.S. Conflicts of the 20th Century: World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict. In 1926, the tomb was placed under a day guard during the hours which the cemetery was open to visitors, but in 1937, the tomb was placed under a 24-hour military honor guard. The responsibility of the guarding of the tomb was taken over by the Third United States Infantry, "The Old Guard" in 1948, and the practice continues today.
To be a tomb guard takes skill, an impeccable military record, and most importantly, a strong desire to be part of "The Old Guard." There is also the physical requirement of being at least six feet tall. Most prospective guards are recruited from near- by Fort Myer and must go through an intense interview process before being considered a possible sentinel. Once accepted, the trainees go through a two-week period of intense training at night where they rotate one hour marching with one hour off. During the hour off, they undergo training to learn the history of the unknown soldier and Arlington National Cemetery. The trainees must also polish their brass, their shoes, clean their rifles, and make sure that everything is perfect. Otherwise mistakes and failures count against them in their evaluations. Until recently, trainees who made mistakes had to do 21 push-ups for the unknown soldier, but now are disciplined in a variety of other ways. If, after their two-week training period they pass inspection on their knowledge and skills, they are placed on a regular rotation schedule for guarding the tomb.
After nine months of being on guard, the sentinels are evaluated once again. If they pass those tests, they receive the prestigious Tomb Guard Badge. After twelve months of honorable service, the Tomb Guards are allowed to wear the Tomb Guard Badge on their uniform for the rest of their military careers. Less than 400 sentinels, in the 48 years the Third Infantry has been guarding the tomb, have received permanent orders for the Tomb Guard Badge.
The responsibility of the Tomb Guard is to protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During daylight hours, sentinels march for one hour shifts, and at night, two hour shifts. The duty is 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, and 24 hours off. During that shift they are to stay in the Guard's quarters located under the Memorial Amphitheater. After each shift, they have four days off, with two of those days spent in training.
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.
To be a guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the highlight of one's military career and takes enormous skill, knowledge, and desire. One of the most important things that a sentinel must learn is the Sentinel's Creed. The Creed expresses all the values and desires of the
I have visited there a number of times. The land for the cemetery was once owned by Robert E. Lee. It was appropriated by the Union.
My most recent visit was several years ago when my friend, retired USAF Colonel Bobby Quisenberry and his wife were buried there. They had been brutally shotgunned in their bed in the wee hours by suspected burglars. Nobody has ever been arrested in the case.
A military funeral is quite moving and very precise in its unfolding. Col Q and wife were also honored by a flyover in the missing man formation. The bugler was live and not on tape.
After the funeral I climbed up a low hill and gazed out over the thousands and thousands of white crosses extending as far as I could see. I thought long and hard about all the men and women gathered in this one place who so epitomize the spirit of American greatness. My pride was overflowing and my sense of honor deeply felt.
Make the trip while you can.
It's too bad our Congress and the President have refused yet again this year to have enough "valor" to pass legislation providing the ones who lived, but were disabled, the recognition and compensation they deserve and gave so much for.
Look here! This thread got more than...why...30 comments! /sarcasm
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