Tomb of the Unknowns

Tomb of the Unknowns

Did you know....... This must take a special kind of person.

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.

I don't know if you saw this in the news but it really impressed me. Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work because of the expected storm.

On the ABC evening news, it was reported that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington DC, 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 them.


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Brian Theroff Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) Harnessing the Power of Technology for the Warfighter Code 805, Bldg. 3291
300 Highway 361 Crane, IN 47522-5001 Ph: 812.854.2365 Email: theroffba@crane.navy.mil

That's just amazing!!!

That is wonderful to know, especially since my husband is coming back from "Operation Iraqi Freedom" as I write this. He is literally in the air right now. :)

Yay Smilin!!!!
Congrats!!! ((hugs)) Give him kisses from all of us!!

Absolutely lots of hugs to you and your military man...thank him for me.

Earthling, let me add something I just learned from a flag folding ceremony publication. The number 21 was adopted because it is the sum of the year 1776. Great article, thanks for sharing.

Smiln32, HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Pati

I just learned yesterday that my next door neighbor was a guard the the Tomb of the Unknowns. We knew he was a special person with a special family, but this was news. He retired from the Army 2 yrs ago as a Lt. Colonel, we attended the retirement ceremony. He never brags about his accomplishments, but their den walls are lined with impressive pictures, plaques and medals. I consider it a privilege to know him and his family. A perfect gentleman, he is living up to his oath.

Smilin, so glad your DH is coming home safe.