On a recent episode of Jeopardy, 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.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be
very proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud
of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
I wish the pictures would of pasted here..It would do this post more justice.
The message you forwarded is correct in as much as the physical requirements.
However, as far as being under permanent lifetime restriction on their conduct, etc., the official source says this:
A guard leaving after at least nine months of service is entitled to wear the badge as a permanent part of the uniform.
Permanent means permanent.
As to them living under the tomb: LOLOLOLOLOL ROTFLMAO you have GOT to be kidding me. If the soldiers are single, they live in a dormitory on Fort Myer. If married, they live either in post housing or on the economy. LOLOL!!!
As far as not being able to drink...there is a Class VI store (for those who haven't been in the service, that means a liquor store) right on post. I used to go there regularly when I worked in Crystal City. And I have seen them, in their fancy uniform, buying not only alcohol, but (hush) cigarettes too.
You ought to think about Snopesing or Googling this. I just went to 'official' web sites (like the Fort Myer website) to get the info I have...but I'm sure you can debunk more with minimal effort.
As an Army vet, I have nothing but respect for The Old Guard. Incredible discipline and presence. Some Old Guard were picked directly out of basic training for the duty based on their natural talent for drill and ceremony.
Anyone interested might enjoy the Vietnam era Frances Ford Coppola film Gardens of Stone. It was shot in and around the Old Guard unit and is, to my mind, a compelling movie.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is a benevolent and charitable organization with high moral principles seeking to aid and improve the life of good men. Much of their philosophy was to aid and protect its members, with visiting the sick, aiding the distressed, educating the orphan and burying the dead. Throughout the years they have established over 60 retirement homes for the aged and orphans throughout the United States and Canada.
It is a worldwide organization having one sovereign leader. Lodges can be found in every continent of the world with a total membership of over one and a half million, and is the only fraternal society allowed by the United States Army to hold Memorial Services at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, in Arlington Cemetery.
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Stayed Too Long
Really???? Sounds extreme.
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LG
The alcohol prohibition and several other statements are false.
See this FAQ.
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likeaneagle
LG- your link is dead.
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markomalley
The tomb guards are part of E Company, 3rd Infantry Regiment and are stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia.
The message you forwarded is correct in as much as the physical requirements.
However, as far as being under permanent lifetime restriction on their conduct, etc., the official source says this:
Permanent means permanent.
As to them living under the tomb: LOLOLOLOLOL ROTFLMAO you have GOT to be kidding me. If the soldiers are single, they live in a dormitory on Fort Myer. If married, they live either in post housing or on the economy. LOLOL!!!
As far as not being able to drink...there is a Class VI store (for those who haven't been in the service, that means a liquor store) right on post. I used to go there regularly when I worked in Crystal City. And I have seen them, in their fancy uniform, buying not only alcohol, but (hush) cigarettes too.
You ought to think about Snopesing or Googling this. I just went to 'official' web sites (like the Fort Myer website) to get the info I have...but I'm sure you can debunk more with minimal effort.
LOL
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likeaneagle
your right Marko!
I should of snoped this..
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Tom Strange
yeah... you should have likeaneagle... but it was still very interesting... thanks!
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LG
Oops. I fixed it.
BTW, it's not "should of." It's "should've," a contraction of "should have." It's the same with "would've" and "could've."
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Stayed Too Long
Looks like the only thing that seperates them from the rest of us is they stand very still for a long period of time.
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markomalley
Not true. They have to be model soldiers.
But, unlike what that mass e-mail (that's been around a few cycles) indicates, they have to be soldiers...not monks.
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Jim
As an Army vet, I have nothing but respect for The Old Guard. Incredible discipline and presence. Some Old Guard were picked directly out of basic training for the duty based on their natural talent for drill and ceremony.
Anyone interested might enjoy the Vietnam era Frances Ford Coppola film Gardens of Stone. It was shot in and around the Old Guard unit and is, to my mind, a compelling movie.
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Ron G.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is a benevolent and charitable organization with high moral principles seeking to aid and improve the life of good men. Much of their philosophy was to aid and protect its members, with visiting the sick, aiding the distressed, educating the orphan and burying the dead. Throughout the years they have established over 60 retirement homes for the aged and orphans throughout the United States and Canada.
It is a worldwide organization having one sovereign leader. Lodges can be found in every continent of the world with a total membership of over one and a half million, and is the only fraternal society allowed by the United States Army to hold Memorial Services at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, in Arlington Cemetery.
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likeaneagle
I have been to Arlington Cematary 2x in last 3 years and what these men do in such sycnronization and order is exemplary. THe tribute is awesome..
Why they do it is above words....
should of, could of.....thank you LG. geesh
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