2000flyer
EASY FLYER
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 1,586
Seeing as how we have a number of current and former military folks here, and a very patriotic group of aviators, I thought I'd pass this along sent by a collegue. Remember not only our fallen, but our current soldiers, salors, airmen and marines who are out there in this world protecting us.
====
>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?
>
>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?
>
>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?
>
>
>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.
>
>
>
>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.
>
>
>Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington,
>DC) 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
>
>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 US 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** 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.
>
>We can be very, very proud of our soldiers in uniform
====
>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?
>
>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?
>
>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?
>
>
>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.
>
>
>
>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.
>
>
>Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington,
>DC) 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
>
>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 US 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** 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 **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** 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.
>
>We can be very, very proud of our soldiers in uniform
