Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Guards at Tomb of the Unknowns Stand Tall (given permission to seek shelter, but stay at post)
Associated Press ^ | September 19, 2003 | SHARON THEIMER

Posted on 09/19/2003 5:04:28 AM PDT by 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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: arlingtoncemetery; banglist; hurricaneisabel; tomboftheunknowns
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121 next last
Found this over at AR15.com
1 posted on 09/19/2003 5:04:30 AM PDT by Tree of Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
Very interesting. This kind of sense of honor must completely baffle liberals.
2 posted on 09/19/2003 5:08:23 AM PDT by Kenton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
I usually don't care much for ceremony, but I have to say that this is pretty admirable.
3 posted on 09/19/2003 5:12:05 AM PDT by Steel Wolf (Too close for guns, switching to missiles!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kenton
Tears well from my eyes. God bless them.
4 posted on 09/19/2003 5:12:52 AM PDT by ChemistCat (I have two daughters. I know peacemaking. What we're doing in Israel ain't it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Rememberance and honor ping.
5 posted on 09/19/2003 5:19:36 AM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife ("Life isn't fair. It's fairer than death, is all.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
God Bless all the men and women in our armed services......
especially the ones who have given their lives for our freedom!
6 posted on 09/19/2003 5:19:40 AM PDT by Faith65
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
If you've never seen the sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknowns, it is a chilling sight to behold. The machine-like precision of the guards and the overwhelming dignity of the setting do at least a modicum of justice to the men they guard. It is altogether fitting and proper that no storm force them from their post.
7 posted on 09/19/2003 5:20:05 AM PDT by IronJack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
Devotion to duty and pure guts.

Highly commendable.

8 posted on 09/19/2003 5:20:41 AM PDT by LibKill (Leaving the toilet seat up improves your household feng shui.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IronJack; All
God Bless them. Those are my guys, and it makes me feel at once humble and proud that I can count myself among their ranks.

CGVet58
9 posted on 09/19/2003 5:27:15 AM PDT by CGVet58 (For my fellow Americans; my life... for our enemies; The Sword!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
"It's just considered to be the greatest honor to go out there and guard," Holmes said.

I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be associated with some these guys (members of the Old Guard), quite a few years back.

The level of dedication to duty was astounding back then, even at the height of the withdrawal of forces from VN, when we were under attack from all sides.

I am gratified to learn that the soldiers assigned to this duty have not lessened in their dedication and that they truly know the meaning of Duty, Honor, Country.

Those guys are the best of the best.

10 posted on 09/19/2003 5:27:39 AM PDT by OldSmaj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty

11 posted on 09/19/2003 5:29:19 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . there is nothing new under the sun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LibKill
Amen to your comments and similar ones by others here, and is in the highest tradition of American values.

Their devotion to their fallen comrades in arms and their duty is most laudable.
12 posted on 09/19/2003 5:30:00 AM PDT by exit82 (Ted Kennedy knows all about frauds--he is one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Kathy in Alaska; bentfeather; Billie; MoJo2001; tomkow6; Old Sarge; ...
PING!! Thought you guys migt like this. Greetings from Iceland, where there's a beautiful woman behind every tree (and there are NO trees...)

Ping the Canteen and Foxhole threads, willya?

13 posted on 09/19/2003 5:30:37 AM PDT by Long Cut (Even in Summertime, Iceland is COLD!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
Bump.
14 posted on 09/19/2003 5:34:16 AM PDT by manna
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty

Thank you for your dedication, dignity, and honor.

Rivendell
USAF-Ret

15 posted on 09/19/2003 5:37:00 AM PDT by Rivendell (The price of freedom may be high, but the price of failure is even higher...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IronJack
I agree...for those who have never witnessed the changing of the guard....do so, you will never forget...I was in awe!
16 posted on 09/19/2003 5:38:34 AM PDT by mystery-ak (Happy Birthday, Mike...wish you were here.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: mystery-ak
ditto...

...We were there on a very hot day ...very hot.

And these young guards were so cool looking in their uniforms and so precise in their steps and attention to detail and respect.

There was a crowd of people, but truly, one could have heard a pin drop, the crowd was so quiet.

17 posted on 09/19/2003 5:45:43 AM PDT by Guenevere (..., .Press On!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: LibKill
As a retired serviceman, these guys get my salute!

I find it interesting that young men like these take their job, position, and duty seriously and do not falter in a storm...the same cannot be said for our government and CONGRESS!

18 posted on 09/19/2003 5:45:48 AM PDT by NMFXSTC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Tree of Liberty
Nice. More power to these guys, as if they didn't get the max from above already.

God bless them, the men they watch over and the many men and women they represent.
19 posted on 09/19/2003 5:47:28 AM PDT by DoughtyOne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kenton
No kidding.
20 posted on 09/19/2003 5:47:46 AM PDT by DoughtyOne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson