From: Recovry4x4@aol.com
Date: Sat Sep 18 2004 - 04:53:57 PDT
Greetings gang. I knew some of these facts but not all. Every time I read
this I learn a little more. Its not political and its not a direct question or
comment on any MVs but it is worth your attention. As with anything like this
its subject to truths being stretched but I think its pretty much right on! Here
are the facts about the Tomb of the Unknows!
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the
Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard".
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb
of the Unknowns and why?
A. 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?
A. 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet?
A. 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?
A. No, 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?
A. 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?
A. 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.
The Sentinels Creed: My dedication to this sacred duty is total and
wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I
falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain
perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the
elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is
he who commands
the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by
well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this
soldier will
in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
More Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:
The marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont
Marble Company of Danby, Vt. The marble is the finest and whitest of American
marble, quarried from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, Colorado and
is called Yule Marble. The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other
famous buildings was also quarried there.
The Tomb consists of seven pieces of rectangular marble:
Four pieces in sub base; weight 15 tons, one piece base or plinth;
weight 16 tons, one piece die; weight 36 tons, one piece cap; weight 12 tons.
Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington, D.C.)
is
a composite of three figures, commemorative of the spirit of the Allies
of World War I. In the center of the panel stands Victory (female). On the
right
side, a male figure symbolizes Valor. On the left side stands Peace, with her
palm branch to reward the devotion and sacrifice that went with courage to
make the cause of righteousness triumphant.
The north and south sides are divided into three panels by Doric
pilasters. In each panel is an inverted wreath. On the west, or rear, panel
(facing the Amphitheater) is inscribed:
HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD
The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sub-base and a base or
plinth. It was slightly smaller than the present base. This was torn away
when the
present Tomb was started Aug. 27, 1931. The Tomb was completed and the
area opened to the public 9:15 a.m. April 9, 1932, without any ceremony.
Cost of the Tomb; $48,000
Sculptor; Thomas Hudson Jones
Architect; Lorimer Rich
Contractors; Hagerman & Harris, New York City
Inscription; Author Unknown
* * *
(Interesting Commentary)
The Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility for
providing ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White House
social functions, public celebrations and interments at Arlington National
Cemetery and standing a very formal sentry watch at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The public is familiar with the precision of what is called "walking
post" at the Tombs. There are roped off galleries where visitors can form to
observe the troopers and their measured step and almost mechanically silent
rifle shoulder changes. They are relieved every hour in a very formal drill
that has to be seen to be believed.
Some people think that when the Cemetery is closed to the public in the
evening that this show stops. First, to the men who are dedicated to
this work, it is no show. It is a "charge of honor." The formality and
precision
continues uninterrupted all night. During the nighttime, the drill of
relief and the measured step of the on duty sentry remain unchanged from the
daylight hours. To these men, these special men, the continuity of this post
is the key to the honor and respect shown to these honored dead, symbolic of
all
American unaccounted for American combat dead. The steady rhythmic step in
rain, sleet, snow, hail, heat, cold, must be uninterrupted. Uninterrupted is
the
important part of the honor shown.
Recently, while you were sleeping, the teeth of hurricane Isabel came
through this area and tore hell out of everything. We had thousands of trees
down, power outages, traffic signals out, roads filled with downed limbs and
"gear adrift" debris. We had flooding and the place looked like it had been
the impact area of an off shore bombardment.
The Regimental Commander of the U.S. Third Infantry sent word to the
nighttime Sentry Detail to secure the post and seek shelter from the
high winds, to ensure their personal safety.
THEY DISOBEYED THE ORDER!
During winds that turned over vehicles and turned debris into
projectiles, the measured step continued. One fellow said "I've got buddies
getting
shot at in Iraq who would kick my butt if word got to them that we let them
down. I sure as hell have no intention of spending my Army career being known
as the damned idiot who couldn't stand a little light breeze and shirked his
duty." Then he said something in response to a female reporters question
regarding silly purposeless personal risk.... "I wouldn't expect you to
understand, It's an enlisted man's thing." God bless the rascal... In a time
in our
nation's history when spin and total b.s. seem to have become the accepted
coin-of-the-realm, there beat hearts - the enlisted hearts we all knew
and were so damn proud to be a part of that fully understand that devotion to
duty is not a part time occupation. While we slept, we were represented by
some damn fine men who fully understood their post orders and proudly went
about their assigned
responsibilities unseen, unrecognized and in the finest tradition of the
American
Enlisted Man. Folks, there's hope. The spirit that George S. Patton,
Arliegh Burke and Jimmy Doolittle left us... survives.
On the ABC evening news, it was reported recently that, because of the
dangers from Hurricane Isabel approaching Washington DC, the military
members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were
given permission to suspend the assignment. They refused. "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. Very, very proud of our soldiers in uniform!
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