Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 12/20/2009 1:55:01 PM PST by shove_it
Since July 2, 1937, the Unknown Soldiers interred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery have never been alone. Sentinels who guard the Tomb constantly keep the Unknowns company through wind, rain, snow and heat. They maintain their vigil day and night; on weekends and holidays, the sentinels are there at the Tomb to guard the Unknown Soldiers and to ensure they will forever rest with dignity and honor. The sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are a platoon of Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). They go through a rigorous training cycle to earn the right to call themselves sentinels at the Tomb.
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(Excerpt) Read more at dcmilitary.com ...
Lets not forget the rest of the sailors, soldiers, marines and air force troops doing the same thing all around the world. From Iraq to Berlin to the DMZ in Korea and even to Washington DC and on and under all the seas in between they are ALL guarding us and far from home.
Jack
I was stationed at the Marine Barracks in DC from 1986 to 1989 and would visit my Army brethren at the Tomb from time to time to watch the changing of the guard. I remember one visit the Sergeant of the Guard spotted something amiss on the oncoming Sentinel’s uniform during the inspection and sent him back to the Crypt to correct it. He waited in position until the Sentinel returned almost 5 minutes later with the correction made. He resumed the inspection and then posted him. I often wonder exactly what was wrong on the Sentinel’s uniform.
Sorry to disagree, but Tomb Guards DO have to take a lifelong pledge not to drink alcohol. I’ll find the documentation for you.
Thanks for that!
OK, you’re right. A friend’s son was selected to do the Honor Guard and she told me that was one of the qualifications, so I assumed it to be true. The rumor has spread far and wide.
It happens quite often. I can’t find the video of the sgt. of the guard taking down one particularly agressive civilian and holding him down until the police arrived to take him away. The rifles are not loaded but the bayonets are real and the sentinels are very persuasive.
The tombguard.org link above says that it is a myth.
http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#Is it true 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.
National Geographic Specials
Arlington: Field of Honor
http://www.hulu.com/watch/70082/national-geographic-specials-arlington-field-of-honor#s-p1-so-i0
A moment I will never forget.
Thanks for sharing that.
It’s a bit late now, and the weather’s not the greatest, but it seems like a great tradition to start would be to go down to the tomb on Christmas Eve and/or Day so that the sentinals and those in their care aren’t alone.
The Tombs of the Unknowns are an awesome experience. It was an important visit when I went to DC on 9/12.
Aye, aye btcusn!!
It always seem to a little cooler there. I went there in July and I watched the changing of the guard and I got a shiver.
God Bless all those who protect this land.
Just finished watching the National Geographic video you posted...
WOW!
I really appreciated the link, which I just finished watching.
My Father is in ANC, with the honor earned during the invasion of Iwo Jima. I have returned there several times since his burial in 1997, as living in Michigan, it is a long way but where he wanted to be.
My 92 year old Mother will be with him at some future date, to be with him forever.
ANC is a National Treasure. The National Geographic video was so respectful and beautiful. Thank you again for the posting.
In contrast to a lot of the political malarkey that goes on in the Pentagon, this is the very meaning of membership in the Fraternity of Combat Warriors.
a friend of mine from college was a tomb guard, back in the 80’s, he would not tell us if they carried loaded rifles or not.
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