[Tree of Liberty]

Found this over at AR15.com

[TADSLOS]

"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."

1st General Order:

I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.

Job well done, soldier. Stand down.

[MadelineZapeezda]

[CholeraJoe]

I would have been sorely disappointed had the Tomb Guards done anything other than what they did. Great job, Tomb Guards!

[sweet_diane]

"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."

God Bless 'Em

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Please visit this thread ping.

[Pilsner]

I saw the Tomb in the fall of 1987. There was lone guard pacing up and down at one spot. He stopped marching and stepped into a canvas enclosure the size of a telephone booth -- I don't know what he was doing there, getting a drink of water or reporting to somebody maybe.

Among my fellow tourists was what looked like a Japanese family: fiftyish mom and dad and thirtyish son. The son, who had been standing there watching the guard pace up and down, hoists up his camera and steps over the rope we were all standing behind.

CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK went the guard's shoes as he raced up the trespasser and made a bayonet thrust that ended 1" from the Japanese tourist's nose. A long look down the chromed bayonet into the .30 muzzle of the guard's Garand was enough to cause the tourist to practically levitate himself back behind the rope. The guard, who never said a word, or even changed facial expression, resumed marching up and down as if nothing had happened.

If the location wasn't so hallowed I would have cheered.

[LiteKeeper]

Retired Veteran salute to the Old Gaurd!

[SAMWolf]

Great story.

[in the Arena]

Proud BTTT...

[jjm2111]

What weapons do the Old Guard use and are they loaded?

Plus, I would imagine, their uniforms are immaculate.

[LouD]

A big Roo-Ha to the men of the Old Guard.

I went to the NCO Academy with a lot of Old Guard guys, and they are very serious about what they do. I am not surprised at all.

[Joe Driscoll]

"They told us that. But that's not what's going to happen,"

It just warms my heart.

[Thumper1960]

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.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

God bless our Military

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

God Bless the Old Guard and what they represent.

[cavtrooper21]

Ping

[VOA]

Yes Virginia, there are still some real men in the USA...

[I_dmc]

Its a far cry from this honor, but I was in an honor platoon at Ft. Devens. We marched in many events in Boston, Concord, etc. I got to wear a blue ascot and white laces in my shiny-like-glass boots, along with other "trim". Felt like a zillion bucks when I flew military standby.

[PleaseNoMore]

I saw Holmes interviewed on Fox news and I was impressed that he chose to stay on his post rather than abandon it for his own safety. They reported that Holmes did the guarding and wouldn't let any of those under him do it. They also showed large tree limbs that had fallen within 10 or so feet from where his guard was. He never considered "going inside out of the storm". I was so impressed.

[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 !)

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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.