Tomb of unknown soldier"

[1rustycoin]

Tomb of 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 {fighting} 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.

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.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for

guard duty.

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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,

24/7, since 1930.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless and keep them.

[FuzzyUzzy]

That was very interesting. Thanks.

[learning all i can]

Altho, I have been there and observed, I did not know all these facts....

If a person really wants to expeirence chills running up their necks...this is truely the experience of a life time.

I personally became very humble and unworthy as these men died for me and our country. I thank each for their service that I may be free as an American with out fear of our enemies coming to American soil...God Bless America and God Bless our Men and Women that have fought for us.

When thinking back being in Arlington.......I could cry a river.

thankyou for this post

That was very interesting. Thanks.

Here comes that river of tears again.......God bless you for bringing this joyous hope

[The Watcher]

Arlington National Cemetary is hallowed ground. Heroes lie there. Arlington should be visited by all Americans. While there, one should be reverent, quiet, thankful, and proud that so many gave all they had for the greatest country in the history of mankind. It is a special place. If you go there and don't leave with a lump in your throat, check your heartbeat, it may have stopped.

[learning all i can]

Arlington National Cemetary is hallowed ground. Heroes lie there. Arlington should be visited by all Americans. While there, one should be reverent, quiet, thankful, and proud that so many gave all they had for the greatest country in the history of mankind. It is a special place. If you go there and don't leave with a lump in your throat, check your heartbeat, it may have stopped.

watcher, yes thankyou...oh so true...you just said it all

[FuzzyUzzy]

Arlington National Cemetary is hallowed ground. Heroes lie there. Arlington should be visited by all Americans. While there, one should be reverent, quiet, thankful, and proud that so many gave all they had for the greatest country in the history of mankind. It is a special place. If you go there and don't leave with a lump in your throat, check your heartbeat, it may have stopped.

went there a few years ago, it was a moving experience.

[crnamiss]

I have been their also and it is indeed hallowed ground.

I toured many monuments while in DC and the kore

An memorial was so moving, the WWs were awesome but the one I had to stop and cry at was the vietnam memorial. For some reason it moved me more than the others and my father made it through korea and vietnam safely thankfully.

For some reason seeing all those individual names representing real sacrifice almost brought me to my knees. If there hadn't been so many people around I would fell on the ground and just cried.....

All americans and any foreigners who contemplate moving to our great land should see these monuments to heroes.

[cautiouslyhopeful]

Thank you for the post. I am going to print it out for my co-workers to read. Thanks again Rusty!!

[RiverStyx]

It is a place of honor for sure, you feel it just walking in. I have two family members laid to rest inside. Each and every time I enter I am moved just by knowing what it all stands for.

Thanks for posting this.

[Tiffany23]

The bravest soldier knows how to weep

The bravest soldier rests now in sleep

The bravest soldier laid his life down for me

The bravest soldier allows me to live in the Land of the Free

Awesome posts everyone!

[1rustycoin]

Fuzzyuzzy;

Thanks for the addition to this post. It's a good poem

[Slaydadea]

You smacked a home run with this one 1rustycoin. All I can say say is "Thanks for it brother".

[hammy]

You gotta love you-tube. Video of 'Changing of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier'