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
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).
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! :)
I love the history and the dedication and presentation.
God bless you and all our troops and veterans!
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.....
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.)
Bump
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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 
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