ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Jeopardy Question:
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?"
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?
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.
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 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 Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and 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.
May God Bless and keep them.
We can be very proud of our men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
A battle weary soldier prays a silent prayer
and thinks of family far away tonight
Others gather around him all faithful to the call
never knowing if they'll see tomorrow's light
But willingly they face this struggle every day
and freedom price is more than should have to pay
I can live in Freedom I can dream my dreams
Freedoms price was paid because of those who
died for me. I will honor what they fought to save
this is the land of the free because of the brave.
A mother of three children sits broken and alone
she holds a folded flag close to her heart
Friends and family gathered but they've all come
and gone. Her love, her life, has now been torn apart.
Faithfully she'll face the struggle every day Freedom's
price is more than she should have to pay
I can live in freedom, I can dream my dreams
Freedom's price was paid because of those who died
for me. I will honor what they fought to save:
this is the land of the free because of the brave
They gave a final sacrifice knowing it could lead them to
there grave. I cannot repay their cost or mend their
hearts of those who've lost, but I can live the dream
they died to save. I can live in Freedom I can dream
my dreams. Freedom's price was paid because of those
who died for me. I will honor what they fought to save
this is the land of the free because of the brave. this
is the land of the free because of the brave I will leave in
freedom I can dream my dreams Freedom's price was
paid because of those who died for me
I will honor what they fought to save
this is the land of the free because of the brave.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE WHO KEEP IT THAT WAY
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