Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

Discussion in 'History & Geography' started by Von Jones, Aug 4, 2019.

  1. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,507
    Likes Received:
    8,957
    I was watching a ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown (soldiers) that came up on my Facebook page. It wouldn't let me post the actual ceremony at least on SoC. I was just wondering if this is performed everyday? Has anyone ever attended this particular ceremony?
     
    #1
    Shirley Martin and Joe Riley like this.
  2. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2015
    Messages:
    13,934
    Likes Received:
    22,555
  3. Bess Barber

    Bess Barber Veteran Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2019
    Messages:
    3,760
    Likes Received:
    7,600


    There is also a very nice Arlington Cemetery web site.
     
    #3
  4. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,507
    Likes Received:
    8,957
    #4
    Bess Barber and Tom Galty like this.
  5. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    1,494
    #5
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2019
    Bess Barber and Von Jones like this.
  6. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,507
    Likes Received:
    8,957
    @Tom Galty for finding another precious video.
     
    #6
    Bess Barber likes this.
  7. Bess Barber

    Bess Barber Veteran Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2019
    Messages:
    3,760
    Likes Received:
    7,600
    I'm glad you brought it up. I didn't know anything in detail about it either. It's a beautiful tribute showing so much respect.

    @Tom Galty Thanks for your video as well. I imagine we got the idea from you guys.
     
    #7
    Tom Galty and Von Jones like this.
  8. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    1,494
    Think what shocked me the most in this was.

    "A 100 women in the congregation Who had lost their husbands and ALL their sons"
     
    #8
  9. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,507
    Likes Received:
    8,957
    My thought was "Oh my God!" when I read that.
     
    #9
  10. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    21 steps each way.
    This article was on my FB page and after reading it I knew I had to share it with you guys.
    I served in the U.S. 82nd Abn Div and also served in combat in Vietnam but these guys who guard Arlington Cemetary and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is something I do not think I could ever do.
    Granted, after Nam I was assigned to the Army Honor Guard and played taps for over 30 or so ceremonies but that is a far cry from what the soldiers assigned to the Tomb have to go through.

    Here’s the whole of it:
    On Jeopardy, 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

    I don't usually suggest that many posts be forwarded, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many people as possible.
    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.
     
    #10
  11. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2015
    Messages:
    55,669
    Likes Received:
    23,294
    Fascinating information, @Bobby Cole . It seems too rigid for me. I don't think I'd ever pass the tests.
     
    #11
    Bobby Cole likes this.
  12. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    I had to think for a bit as to whether or not any females had passed the strict tests for becoming a Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    I couldn’t remember there ever being one so I cheated and looked it up.

    Heather Lynn Johnsen was the first female to be honored with the assignment. Here’s a link which will provide a bit more information.
    https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/...-duty-march-22-1996-as-the-news-photo/1143920

    Note 1: Several sites spell her last name with an “e” in johnsen and others spell it with the usual “o”. At this point, I do not know which one is correct.
    Note 2. I still refuse to acknowledge the PC move to subtract the word “Soldier” to the Tomb of the Unknown. Whether male or female, a person who served in the military, died and was then buried at Arlington is still a Soldier first, foremost and always.
     
    #12
    Lois Winters likes this.
  13. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    24,327
    Likes Received:
    42,630
    We will be leaving for Arlington Monday, I think. We will only be staying for three days this time though, rather than the usual week. Too much traveling is hard on the bank account.
     
    #13
    Lois Winters and Bobby Cole like this.
  14. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    As always, may God bless your yearly pilgrimage.
     
    #14
    Lois Winters likes this.

Share This Page