This past week I was watching one of my favorite shows these days in "The Unit". It is about a special forces group that does not exist and their battle on terrorism. That was one of the toughest TV episodes I ever watched. One of the regulars on the show was killed in another country and they showed how they brought him back and prepared his body and told his relatives and had the burial service. I had a lump in my throat during the entire episode. I just cannot imagine what it must be like to real life to lose a soldier and what his fellow soldiers must go through during this tragic time.

Within a few days I received one of those emails that I seen many times but in case you had not I wanted to share it. I have seen the changing of the guard many times at Arlington Cemetry and if you ever go, make it a special point to see it.

I give thanks to all who are serving and may read this post overseas and elsewhere. May your Thanksgiving be a happy time to you and your family even though you may far apart. Thanks for all that you do. May God also bless you richly and keep you safe.



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.


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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.


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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.

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Thank you all who have served. Your sacrifices are not forgotten.

 

Wow, I didnt know that all of that was involved. But if anyone derseves it its them, God bless them and their families.