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

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.

"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

It's even more impressive in person!

This group of men who guard the tomb - they are just awesome. While I was there waiting for the changing of the guard ceremony to begin, there were a bunch of teen agers there in several groups, who of course became louder and louder. Suddenly, one of the guards stepped to the center of the red carpet and LOUDLY DECLARED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE QUIET AND RESPECTFUL IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIERS. Wow! It was a stunning rebuke - but one the children deserved. After that .. no one said a word!

These guys take their job seriously .. it's not a fake parade .. it's an honest and sincere tribute to those who have lost their lives defending our freedom.

Suddenly, one of the guards stepped to the center of the red carpet and LOUDLY DECLARED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE QUIET AND RESPECTFUL IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIERS. Wow! It was a stunning rebuke - but one the children deserved. After that .. no one said a word!

I distinctly remember a similar incident that occurred during one of the many times I visited the Tomb of the Unknowns. If anyone - kids or adults - even so much as stepped a toe past the barricade, the Sentinel would stop, assume Port Arms, face the offending individual(s) and loudly rebuke them.

And then the Sentinel would stand and stare that person down until everything returned to normalcy. Then and only then would he resume his "walk."

I have nothing but respect for these men.

hey DoughtyOne - love your gif on your page, btw.

I joined the Navy straight out of high school back in '76. Did 4 active & 4 reserve, then re-up'd with the Coast Guard in '84, came out of OCS in '91, & retired in 2000.

Comes 9-11, and I'm there, literally a block away coming out of the subway @ Broadway & Wall Street, 10 minutes before the 2nd plane hits. I get caught in the cloud, don't remember being covered with ash, yet that is what those who saw me that day attest to. I saw many things that day, helped where I could... and one thing I remember is the look of a fellow Coastie I met when the ferries were mustering along the piers to assist in the evacuation of our people from the combat zone.

There I am, assisting a woman who had sought refuge in our office on Water street in attempting to get back to her family on Staten Island - I later learned that she had been employed on the 86th floor of Two WTC, and had been late because of a doctor's appointment. She, along with thousands of others were making their way to the various ferries pulling up, or walking north on the FDR, all calm, everybody pulling together. I see my fellow brother Coastie, really just a kid, an E4 with the look about him that spoke of having been well brought up by his parents; whom by virtue of his chosen profession was already a capable defender of our Nation, yet still wide-eyed in that unique way which capable young Americans of Character who work in the service of others can only be.

I asked for guidance on ferry schedules; mentioned to him that I was retired CG... we exchanged assurances hurriedly but calmly, for there was much still to do. I promised him that we would make the bastards who did this pay. We then parted ways.

It's hard to explain my feelings on that exchange... that day was surreal and I was but one of thousands all affected by the same event, yet all reacting in a thousand different ways. But I will try.

Comfort. I felt comfort in knowing that our best and brightest were responding, and that the Coast Guard was there in the front lines.

Faith. That somehow, we would get through this.

An almost paternal affection. Truthfully, at that moment - and now, after much reflection, even more so - there was nothing that I would not have done for that young man, and by extension, there is nothing that I wouldn't do for my fellow brothers and sisters-at-arms. I say this with complete deliberation; even as I am now again the father of a newborn and most beautiful child... if my Country were to call me to arms again, I would not hesitate in responding.

Hence, the tremendous respect I have for those men standing the watch over the earthly remains of our unknown fallen mates. At first glance; a simple gesture... at first impression made remarkable only because the bond between us is something that many do not understand. Yet made sublime, simply because those who stand watch understand the sacrifice of those whose memory they diligently tender to.

With men such as these as an example, I could do no less.

Juan
CGVet58

Duty and honor. Respect and deference. No greater love has a man than that he lay down his life for a fellow man. Those who rest for eternity in the Tomb of the Unknowns understood this. And they paid the price. While Isabel howled, these men of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, these dedicated warriors, paid the ultimate compliment to the Unknowns: they stood their watch. Despite the relative hardships of full gale winds and biting rains. When we civilians whine and complain of inclement weather annoying our daily routines or interrupting our vacations, remember those who eternally rest in the Tomb and those whose fealty to them demands they stand watch, no matter the conditions.

God Bless Them.

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.