[Friends] Guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

[Gary Gideon]

This is quite interesting,

> On Jeopardy, a 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.
>
> 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 ArlingtonNationalCemetery. 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 Hollywoodfame.
>
> 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.
>
>  

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