Tomb of the Unknown

[dcd_enterprises]

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 ------ All three missed it ---


This is really
an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance Very 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?


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 Bless and
keep them.

[dcd_enterprises]

More photos

[catfish83861]

We have never received less from our military individuals,dang and to think some misguided hollywood types went to Nam to be photographed by the enemy and today does not understand why we still do not like her. I was taught not to hate but she sure pushes my limits as do several of todays movie individuals . Just this old mans thoughts. Thanks for the post . catfish

[berto64]

Same here, Bob.

Not hate but a very unhealthy dislike.

[inplanotx]

My sentiments exactly, Bob and Berto! Makes my blood boil to even think about that #$@&(*!

[Pistolenschutze]

Same feelings here, Cat, Berto, and IPT. As for Fonda and her ilk, let's just say "hate" may be too mild a term.

[Marlin]

More like T R E A S O N, y' all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!