Guards at Tomb of the Unknowns Stand Tall (given permission to seek shelter, but stay at post)

Associated Press ^ | September 19, 2003 | SHARON THEIMER

[Tree of Liberty]

ARLINGTON, Va. - As the winds from Hurricane Isabel swept over Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns were given - for the first time in history - permission to abandon their posts and seek shelter.

"They told us that. But that's not what's going to happen," said Sgt. Christopher Holmes, standing vigil on overnight duty. "That's never an option for us. It went in one ear and right out the other."

The monument was established in 1921 with the interment of an unknown World War I soldier. A sentry has been posted there continuously since 1930.

With the fierce storm bearing down Thursday night, cemetery officials decided to let the guards move indoors if they felt they were in danger. Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler said he believed it was the first time they have been allowed to do so.

"We certainly didn't want to put these guards in jeopardy unnecessarily," Metzler said.

The tomb is protected by soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. Usually about a half-dozen are there, taking turns standing guard, and security cameras also are used.

Holmes' group was on duty for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. They took turns patrolling the tomb in hourly shifts.

The tomb consists of four graves. Three contain remains of soldiers who died in World War I, World War II and Korea. The fourth, representing unknown soldiers who died in Vietnam, now stands empty; the remains it used to hold were identified about five years ago using DNA technology.

Staff Sgt. Alfred Lanier, also on duty Thursday night, said guards might move inside if the storm became truly life-threatening. But he didn't think it was likely.

"Once you become a badgeholder, it's like you'll do whatever you have to do to guard the unknowns," Lanier said. "For one, it's my job. And for two, that's just how much respect I myself have for the unknowns. That's just something we cherish."

The sentries were not entirely unprotected in the storm; they wore rain gear and could warm up with coffee or hot chocolate when not standing guard.

Holmes said he was willing to risk his life keeping watch over the tomb.

"It's just considered to be the greatest honor to go out there and guard," Holmes said. "It's not only the unknowns. It's a symbol that represents everyone who's fought and died for our country."

The cemetery is the resting place of more than 260,000 people. Twenty-one funerals were held there Thursday, and 16 were scheduled Friday.

Another famous symbol at the cemetery, the eternal flame over President John F. Kennedy's grave, was left on its own through the storm. The natural gas-powered flame can sputter out in heavy wind or rain, but is designed to immediately reignite itself

[dixie sass]

We have a FReeper by the name of Chesty-Puller, which is why I have flagged him to this post.

[Ready4Freddy]

Ah, thus 'our' Chesty. Ooops. ;>)

[oh8eleven]

I had the honor of marching in the annual "NCO" Sunset Parade during my last three years at 8th & I.

How long were you there? I could spit shine with the best of 'em,
but as an FMF Marine I much preferred the boonies.
Semper Fi ...

[dixie sass]

That "Veni, Vedi, Velcro" tagline sounds familiar...

[sarasmom]

bttt

[Ready4Freddy]

I came, I saw, I stuck around.

Old Roman saying, afaik. ;>)

[dixie sass]

Lol, are you an old Roman? I had thought I had seen someone else with a similar tag line. I like though!!

[Ready4Freddy]

"are you an old Roman?"

No, but I kicked an old Roman's a$$ and stole his saying. ;>)

[FortWorthPatriot]

How long were you there?

From 1986 to 1989. I hadn't realized I typed "my last three years" until just now. Should have been simply "my three years."

Semper Fi!

[Mo1]

Ping in case you didn't hear about this

[MJY1288]

HONOR, DUTY, COUNTRY and the highest respect for our FALLEN HEROES.

[Mo1]

Amen!!

[MJY1288]

I saw one of them interviewed and he asked if the thought of taking cover from the storm ever crossed his mind, and he said very quickly...."NEVER"

[Mo1]

The Sgt. was on my local talk radio tonight .. many folks that we retired from the military called in to thank him and the other soldiers and he said it was them that deserved the thanks for serving our country so proudly.

[ThePythonicCow]

Thanks for the ping, Mo.

[MarkL]

I don't know if this is the truth, but I have heard that the use of deadly force is authorized by the guards, and that although there are no rounds chambered, the guards do carry ammunition on their persons.

Mark

[azGOPgal]

Thanks for the ping. The dedication of these Guards is commendable.

Thank God they weren't harmed during the storm.

[DollyCali]

Corrected I was that The 3d United States Infantry (The Old Guard) has this honor of guarding the tomb.(not marines)...

the second question brought a few interesting Freepmails. – two of which I will share with the permission of the sender: Sport..

@@@

My question:

Does anyone know if there are ever any lib or peacenik hecklers?

I am sure if so, they are ingnored by the marines....

36 posted on 09/19/2003 9:42 AM EDT by DollyCali (Authenticity: To have Arrived !)

@@@

response 1:

Re: Guards at Tomb of the Unknowns Stand Tall (given permission to seek shelter, but stay at post)

From sport | 09/22/2003 11:12 PM EDT replied

During the term of President Bush # 1's term my brother was stationed at Ft. Bravior [sp?] as a helicopter pilot.

One of his jobs was to fly dignitaries around.

He frequently went to the U.S.T. to watch the Changing of the Guard.

He said that from time-to-time protestors would distrupt the ceremony.

He was there one day when some of the protestors were disrupting by refusing to stand.

The Sargent stopped the ceremony and two soldiers went out into the crowd to remove the protestors.

One of the protestors tool a swing at one of the soldiers when he reached down to pick him up.

If he lives to be 100 years old, no one will not have ever to tell him not to do that again.

They took him into the tunnel and walked his dog [beat the hell out of him]. They then called the cops and had him hauled off.

@@@

Response #2

From sport | 09/22/2003 11:33 PM EDT new

you can if you like. You have my permission anong as my blessing.

Before the ceremony of changing the guard begins, the sergent announces ,"Due to the solomness of this ceremony everyone is asked to remove their hats, remain standing and not talk."

He added that if anyone started talking, the sergent would halt the ceremony and ask the offender to leave the area. He also spoke about the interrupters and told the story about the guy taking a swing at the soldier.

[justshe]

Thank you SO much for the ping to this story. No, I had not heard about this. Amazing....and oh so humbling.