Posted on 05/25/2007 3:03:11 PM PDT by NorthEastRepublican
Has anyone ever been down to Arlington Cemetary for Memorial Day ceremonies? If so what was it like and is it worth driving 5 hours to attend? Thanks!
Maybe you can answer this TRG!
I would love to go and without question it would be worth it. Take Kleenex.
“Has anyone ever been down to Arlington Cemetary for Memorial Day ceremonies? If so ... is it worth driving 5 hours to attend?”
Yes and yes.
What is your freedom worth?
What is a man's life defending your freedom worth?
I did once. I can actually see the Tomb of the Unknowns and Lee House from my home. It is Crowded! Come a few hours early at the least. Definitely worth it, even if it’s raining.
Did you see the President?
A visit to Arlington is worth a 5 hour trip on any day of your life.
I love to visit there and have very often though I live much farther. Go and enjoy the day.
Drat, no edit. Can’t see the wreath laying that often obviously, but I mean the changing of the guards is the most moving experience in DC that you can catch later.
God bless all those wonderful Americans who gave their lives to preserve freedom. They are the reason our country is great.
I fired the volleys over them 1962-63. The Old Guard was averaging only 14 funerals per day in those years. The pace picked up substantially during your service there. Semper Fidelis and Noli me Tangere.
Here’s a suitable video for those unable to attend: http://www.kbnet.com/cgi-bin/read?book=TOGAgbook&page=3
Sorry, wrong link, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiuZRb_4UU
Very nice.
The dress, the mindset, even the polish on America’s last wood and steel battle rifle..
Impressive.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Yes, Arlington National Cemetery is worth a five hour drive.
While you are in the area and on the same day, you will also have time to visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial (The Wall), and the World War Two Memorial.
Do not miss the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. This is really an awesome sight to watch.
On Jeopardy one night, the final question was; how many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns. No one had the correct answer.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one-gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds, or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment; it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
May God Bless and keep them.
There are rows and rows and rows of tombstones marked “Unknown US Soldier”.
I just now watched an hour’s cable program on the history of Arlington...a lot of it was dedicated to The Old Guard; I’ll bet indeed you were honored.
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