Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Have You Ever Read This?

Evidently there are at least 400 honorable men on this earth.


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 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 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 therest 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 theirlives 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 laidto 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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.

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.
IN GOD WE TRUST


Awesome!

5 comments:

  1. I knew quite a bit of this from visiting Arlington a few times. They glide along so smoothly when they march it is incredible! This last summer we saw a few arriving for duty and they carry their uniforms and put their other stuff in big plastic bins. We also saw them taking the flag down right outside the guard area. That was an added bonus.

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  2. We've been to DC numerous times and this is a *must see* *must experience* stop. The process these fine men go through leaves me breathless and in awe - the meaning behind each and every step/moment/action is ever so meaningful.

    My father in law is interred at Arlington ~ walking/driving through the cemetary and viewing the stones of those buried there brings such a fullness to my heart.

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  3. I am always honored to go to a military cemetery. I understand how you feel, haus frau, when you say that it brings fullness to your heart.

    Last time we were there we were with family who wanted to see everything, at least surfacely, so we did not get to do the touring/experiencing we wanted to. Fortunately for us we only live about 3 hours away, so next time we will spend more time there.

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  4. Last time we spent 12 days in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Wasn't enough time .. we tend to *really* tour rather than surface-tour.

    A local Christian school is taking their 8th graders to DC in the spring. I was excited to hear they were going to spend 2 nights in Williamsburg, until I learned that their destination is Busch Gardens and NOT Williamsburg historical town or Jamestowne. arghghghghhghghghghghghghghghghghghghghghghghghgh! Of COURSE I offered my tour suggestions...they aren't even planning a Senate building tour much less the White House. Oh dear. "Drive by" tourists. So so so so so sad. And it really **bothers** me...can you tell?

    My husband and I have prayed about taking a homeschool group to DC, Wmsburg, Jamestowne, Gettysburg, etc. Would plan 10 days there and 2 days travel. And we'd be moving fast,,,for us.

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  5. Thanks for sharing this. I hope you don't mind but I copied this to my blog.

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