A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR VETERANS

[HighVelocity]

My family thanks all you Vets that served and pray for the families of those that gave all.

[Mancunian]

Since we're talking about veterans here, how about the dedication below.





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


God rest their souls.

[Liberty]

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.

Might want to check out snopes on this http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

[Mancunian]

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.

Might want to check out snopes on this http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

Although I only skirted over the link and it looks like there may be some slight variations. It doesn't change anything really in the big scheme of things. It's still incredible dedication to duty.

[dws1117]

A few weeks ago at work I was with some co-worker out on our loading dock. There were two men making a Coke a Cola delivery. One of the men mentioned that he had recently returned from Iraq. He seemed very surprised when I held out my hand and thanks him for his service. Judging from his reaction I've guess that the individual soldier rarely get any thanks.

[Liberty]

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 only400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

Might want to check out snopes on this http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

Although I only skirted over the link and it looks like there may be some slight variations. It doesn't change anything really in the big scheme of things. It's still incredible dedication to duty.

I don't want to belittle the men who select this most honorable duty. Still outlandish claims such as; "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 anyway" shouldn't go unchallanged. They are human beings after all and are allowed to live their lives just like the rest of us. They did not join a monastery.

[Tote 9]

It Has Always Been The Soldier




Two have chose to die for us. Jesus Christ for our sins and Soldiers for our Freedom.
Thank You

Amen Amen

[stevie_d_64]

You can really feel the intensity when you watch these men doing this honorable duty...

I got a chance to talk to one of them on a visit up there years ago...

He told me the absolute best time to walk that post is in the quiet still of the early morning...When no one is around, and its just you and the honored men lying in that place, and its not just the tomb of the unknowns...Its the whole place...

He says he feels it...Deep...

24/7/365 is almost an understatement...Its one of my most favorite things to keep in mind about some of this countries honored traditions...

[Skipper5]

Thank you Carlson1 !!!
++++1 Agree....!

Just sending a Galco shoulder holster to the son of a friend I grew up with in AZ....his son is a Hel. pilot USMA grad in Iraq -2Lt....