October 2005
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Seriously Speaking
THE ONLY MAN WHO NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE IS THE MAN WHO
NEVER DOES ANYTHING - Theodore Roosevelt
You may have seen this before. However, we can't
be reminded too often
of the debt that we owe to our military men and women.
The 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 (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. |
God Bless and keep them.
We can be very proud of our young
men and women in the service
no matter where they serve.
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