shiftypowers
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Post by shiftypowers on Jul 18, 2004 23:34:54 GMT -5
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 Two 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 wo rn. 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.
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.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be EXTREMELY
proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our
young men and women in the se rvice no matter where they serve. God Bless
them.
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