In Honor...and Memorium

 

 CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

 

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

These wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one of the poorest parts of the state.

 

 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". 

 

The guards 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 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 Lewis {the boxer} 
~ Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and 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. 

Comments

[Tara R.]

That all just gives me goosebumps.

[Cop Car]

Beautiful, Joy, beautiful. Thank you.

[Alan G]

Thanks for your informative post Joy. Such tradition, gratitude and honor is truly well deserved for those who died for our country. Your welcome post comes at a time when current news stories are informing us that cremated remains of some who gave all for their country are ending up in landfills buried with medical waste - such a disturbing contradiction to your wonderful post.

[Poohpa]

Great post!!
Makes you proud to an American.
Our heros are our greatest treasure.

[Nancy]

Joy,

This is so interesting and if you or your readers would like to learn more about the Honor Guard you should get the movie called "Gardens Of Stone".

The picture (1987) tells the entire story of the Guards who watch over the Unknowns. It stars James Caan,Anjelica Huston and James Earl Jones.

I learned so much from this picture and actually have seen it several times.

[Kay Dennison]

Thanks for educating us!!! Very interesting!!!!