Those who Serve

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was
"How many steps does the guard take during his
walk across the tomb of the Unknowns" ----
All three contestants missed it! --

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've
never had the chance. Very fascinating.

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 one. 

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.
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in

a barrack under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol

on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear

in public for therest of their lives and cannot disgrace the
uniform 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 Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII and 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.

In2003 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 service person.

 

The tomb has been patrolled continuously,  24/7, since 1930.

God
Bless and keep them.

I'd be very proud if this email reached as many as possible. We can be very
proud of our young men and  women in the service no matter where

they serve.

 

 God Bless America.