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 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: He must commit 2 years

 of his life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol

on or off duty.  He cannot swear in public or disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any

 way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on his lapel, signifying 

he served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey

these rules for the rest of his life or give up the wreath pin.
 
        The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from his feet.

 There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud

click as he comes to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.

The guard dresses for duty  in front of a full-length mirror.
 
        During 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

uniform 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!