I’ve been wanting to post these for a while now.  I’ve had them for 2 years this summer.  My daughter and I went to Washington, DC for a week and our hotel was right beside the Arlington Cemetery.  I could have stayed there for days reading all the tombstones [...]]]>

I’ve been wanting to post these for a while now.  I’ve had them for 2 years this summer.  My daughter and I went to Washington, DC for a week and our hotel was right beside the Arlington Cemetery.  I could have stayed there for days reading all the tombstones and the special plaques that were spread throughout the cemetery.  It was bittersweet when we got to the Wall of Soldiers; in one way, it makes a person feel humbled to know that someone died serving our country for the rest of us, in another way, it makes a person proud to know that someone else cared enough, generations earlier, to serve and die for the country in which we live.  It was quite amazing to watch this ceremony in person.  There was complete silence and barely any movement at all other than the guards doing their duty.

It brings to mind, first and foremost, my relationship with Jesus Christ, albeit, bittersweet.   He died to save us and gave us grace, on the other hand, He died to save us and gave us grace.

On to my History lesson on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
A total of 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?  Answered in the next question.

5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

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 or smoke 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 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.