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
It is difficult not to have a big ol' lump in your throat.
I'm sure the National Archives is already on your list.
Do not miss it.
The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were subsequently identified in 1998, and returned to the family for burial at home.
My guess is that the family of USAF 1st Lt. Michael Blassie do not share your dismay.
I imagine the other branches provide ceremonial escorts for funerals of their own brethren.
Geez, there you go, you had to say that, didn't you?
Everything that POS was associated with was desecrated, in one way or the other.
I hastened my retirement, because that POS was going to be elected POTUS and I vowed that I would never serve under the POS.
Hate is a an extreme emotion, but I savor the flavor of the emotion that I feel for that POS. I truly cannot stand the very image of that POS.
I had the extreme misfortune to be at Fort Chaffee during the same period that the 'toon was governor of Arkansas.
Long story short: To hell with the 'toon.
On aside though, I must say that I have very mixed emotions about the VN "unknown" soldier. On the one hand, I'm glad for his family that he was ID'd, but on the other, I see a magnificient tradition politicized by the POS traitorous 'toon.
He should have kept his self-serving, bloodied, cowardly, POS hands off the entire situation.
'Nuff said. My blood pressure is rising.
It's quite a stretch to call returning to a family remains identified 25 years after death 'politicizing'.
You missed my point.
Are you a 'toon supporter?
Anything, I say again, anything that POS is or was involved in, under any circumstances, regardless of the situation, is "politicized", and is or was done for no other reason than for his stinking ass to reap political gain.
Period.
And for you to hint that I disagree with the ID and return of the remains of a loved one to his family is despicable.
I disagree with the entire situation as it was manipulated by the POS, traitorous, cowardly, lying, so-called Commander in Chief at the time, the dastardly Bill Clinton.
I have the utmost respect for the now known soldier. I would have it no other way, in that his remains were identified and returned to his family. What part of that did you not understand?
And why the gratuitous insertion of the actions of Caspar Weinberger and Ronald Reagan, who took action to honor not only the ones killed in the VN action, but also the survivors.
Reagan knew that technology might eventually render the "Unknown" soldier a thing of the past, but he was determined to do something that would serve to help close the open wounds of the war and designating remains, after the many years of not having such, as Unknown, provided an outlet for many survivors of the action.
I support the efforts of Reagan and I wholeheartedly support the actions of the CIL, in continueing to work on 100 percent identification of the remains.
I do not support the actions of a treasonous, cowardly, lying POS, who arranged for the leaking of several reports pertaining to this situation for no other reason than his selfish ones.
I am well aware of the history of this entire situation. I don't need you attempting to chastize me for criticizing anything the POS 'toon has done in relation to it.
ANY sense of honor completely baffles liberals.
It appears that you're simply outraged that the confluence of technology and time happened to occur during the Clinton administration.
Do you take your umbrage in the morning, or is it in time-release capsules in order to maintain a constant level of aggravation?
Are you speaking of the reports that were ordered to be destroyed in 1984 when it was decided to designate a Vietnam Unknown?
Absolutely. :o)
Our daughter will be the perfect age, imo, to appreciate DC (14). This year we're studying, in depth, historical significance relating to true liberty and freedom. It's already awesome.
I highly recommend books by Charles Coffin: Land of Liberty, Sweet Land of Liberty, Boys of 76 and on...
Does anyone know if there are ever any lib or peacenik hecklers?
I am sure if so, they are ingnoredshould be shot by the marines 3rd Infantry....
There -- all better!
(OK, OK, I know that allowing protest is what makes this country great, but a guy can dream, can't he?)
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