Charlie T Waite Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 I found this on another site but think it is very moving and makes me "Proud To Be A Veterans" - Charlie On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was: “How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown?”All three missed it.Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown 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 wait after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as above. 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 recipient 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. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. Duty - Honor - Country IN GOD WE TRUST — with Herbert F Wieland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 +10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Dang. I didn’t have the tv on much the past week. I would got that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 The new pistols Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Pretty much everything from #6 on is urban legend, turned into fact by repeated repeatances on the internet. One of the best officers I ever served under had served at the Tomb. Standards were extraordinary, but he got a chuckle out of the rumors, and this was pre-internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 18 minutes ago, Charlie Harley, #14153 said: Pretty much everything from #6 on is urban legend, turned into fact by repeated repeatances on the internet. One of the best officers I ever served under had served at the Tomb. Standards were extraordinary, but he got a chuckle out of the rumors, and this was pre-internet. Yeah. Ain’t the Interweb grand? And while we’re at it, there is no significance to the 13 folds of the flag. The only significance is the triangle shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I've done many Honor details for many brothers and sisters that have received their final orders. Fired cases folded into flag was a standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tascosa, SASS# 24838 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Perro Del Diablo said: I've done many Honor details for many brothers and sisters that have received their final orders. Fired cases folded into flag was a standard. I was not aware of the fired cases folded into the flag. But when my Dad passed away, the fired shell cases were given to my Mom, which are encased, along with the flag and service ribbons, in a frame and now hangs on the wall at Mom's house. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 When I had funeral detail at Ft Devens we travelled all over the New England area. I noticed a lot of NOK looked into the flag to see what I hade inserted. For our VfW I have made a small card to go with them that says, “These cartridge cases symbolize the three volleys fired in honor of the departed veteran”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I have a movie length video of the Tomb of the Unknown and the men who guard it. I watched it several times and now it’s stored and I can’t easily find it. I knew about the fired cases in the standard. My brother has that. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I think that the rifle adds dignity and honor to the guard ceremony. A rifle displays an "on guard" attitude, whereas a pistol infers "personal protection". (Of course they did not consult me in the subject.) Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 https://tombguard.org/society/faq/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 59 minutes ago, BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 said: I think that the rifle adds dignity and honor to the guard ceremony. A rifle displays an "on guard" attitude, whereas a pistol infers "personal protection". (Of course they did not consult me in the subject.) Blackfoot The pistol is only worn by the Sgt of the Guard and Officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 11 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said: I was not aware of the fired cases folded into the flag. But when my Dad passed away, the fired shell cases were given to my Mom, which are encased, along with the flag and service ribbons, in a frame and now hangs on the wall at Mom's house. ..........Widder Different units may do it different. Our detail would put 3 cases we used during practice to represent each volley. Policing up and using the ones fired during the actual ceremony wasn't practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 2 hours ago, Perro Del Diablo said: Different units may do it different. Our detail would put 3 cases we used during practice to represent each volley. Policing up and using the ones fired during the actual ceremony wasn't practical. I use fired brass that’s been polished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 3 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: The pistol is only worn by the Sgt of the Guard and Officers. Thanks, good to know. I just couldn't imagine the guards without a rifle. Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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