After working in the rain last night on the outer skirts of hurricane Dolly, thinking of the weather, tried of water running down the back of my neck and the wind blowing sting rain drops in my face I thought of the men that Guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the weather they must go though, and what goes though there mind in this drawling duty, so after a bit my job didn't seem so rough. I read about them a few years ago and wanted to share what these fine young men go though, I think it is touching for the Out standing service with Pride these men go on watch every day of the week to guard the graves of those brave men and women who gave there life's for our Country and the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Thank You Bayrat
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> Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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>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
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>3. Why are his gloves wet?
>
> His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the
> rifle.
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>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.
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>5. How often are the guards changed?
>
> Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
>twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
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>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 service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
> 24/7, since 1930.
>
> I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be
> very proud if this one 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 and keep them.
>
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>
> 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 service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
> 24/7, since 1930.
>
> I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be
> very proud if this one 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 and keep them.
>
