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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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 Posted: 06/10/04 - 21:08 Post subject: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Not sure if these are true or not but I got this in my email today and I thought you would all like it.
| Quote: |
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. |
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 06/10/04 - 21:10 Post subject:
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DCRunningDiva
Look at me!!! ©
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Joined: 10 Oct 2003
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Location: Washington DC Metro
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Posted: 06/10/04 - 21:15 Post subject:
Beat me to it! I was just getting ready to post that!
Snopes says...research in progress...
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AlaninTX
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 06/10/04 - 21:42 Post subject:
Ummmmm.....I know a guy who pulled a tour as a guard.
I am not sure the "not drink alcohol for the rest of their lives" is completly true.
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Noley
AZhat
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Posted: 06/11/04 - 01:25 Post subject: Re: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
| Floridaboiler wrote: |
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 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.
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Whew! Some of these requirements would be tough to follow. They're getting some "top notch" men to do the job! 
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 06/11/04 - 04:27 Post subject:
Its a high honor to be a tomb guard. Not sure if all the requirements are true, but they sound about right.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 06/11/04 - 06:40 Post subject:
most are true, and as far as I know, the non drinking is a rule (no confirmation yet)
it is considered an extremely high honor to guard the tomb, fewer people have guarded the tomb than have gotten the medal of honor, very elite group.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
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Posted: 06/11/04 - 06:52 Post subject:
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 06/11/04 - 08:39 Post subject:
| Quote: | The Sentinels of the Tomb
Originally a civilian watchman was responsible for the security of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then March 24, 1926, a military guard from the Washington Provisional Brigade (forerunner of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington) was established during the day-light hours. In 1948 the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) assumed the post following the units reactivation in the nation’s capital. Members of the 3d Infantry’s Honor Guard continue to serve in this distinguished duty today .
A soldier seeking the honor of serving as a sentinel at the Tomb must possess exemplary qualities, to include American citizenship, a spotless record, and impeccable military bearing.
While on duty the sentinel crosses a 63-foot rubber surfaced walkway in exactly 21 steps. He then faces the Tomb for 21 seconds, turns again, and pauses an additional 21 seconds before retracing his steps. The 21 is symbolic of the highest salute according to dignitaries in military and state ceremonies.
As a gesture against intrusion on their post, the sentinel always bears his weapon away from the Tomb.
Only under exceptional circumstances may the guard speak or alter his silent, measured tour of duty. he will issue a warning if anyone attempts to enter the restricted area around the Tomb, but first will halt and bring his rifle to port arms.
The Guard wears the Army Dress Blue Uniform, reminiscent of the color and style worn by soldiers during the late 1800’s. Tomb Guards are privileged to wear the Tomb Identification Badge on the right breast pocket. The design is an inverted open laurel wreath surrounding a representation of the front elevation of the Tomb. The words "Honor Guard" are engraved at the base of the badge. A guard leaving after at least nine months of service is entitled to wear the badge as a permanent part of the uniform. |
http://www.mdw.army.mil/OLDGUARD/Specialty%20Platoons/tomb_guard.htm
Says a soldier only has to serve 9 months to get the wreath of service.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 06/18/04 - 11:45 Post subject:
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 06/18/04 - 12:02 Post subject:
That is extremely interesting.
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coachmarkos
my boys could swim
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Posted: 06/18/04 - 14:16 Post subject:
I have no idea how true these are or not, but I saw the changing of the guard when I was 18, and it was very impressive.
It would be an amazing honor.
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andydp
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Location: Upstate NY near Albany
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Posted: 06/18/04 - 15:06 Post subject:
I had a friend in the Old Guard many years ago.
He told me some brief facts such as they go to classes for several months to learn how to speak to the crowd, how to walk, about face, do the shoulder movements. All the movements are 21 seconds long in commemoration of the 21 gun salute.
For those not in the Army, the shoulder movements done by the guards are very stylized and done only at the Tomb. The rifle is carried at either right or left shoulder arms, depending on the guard's direction of travel. The rifle is always carried on the shoulder that is farthest from the Tomb, indicating preparedness to protect the "Hallowed Ground".
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