Arlington Cemetery



On Jeopardy the tv game show one night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers ------ 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.

Very cool. I live like 30 miles from Arlington and have not visited the cemetary. I need to go check that out! Thanks for posting that.

I found the information to be very interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiuZRb_4UU

Wow! Thanks Patti.. I found that fascinating!

Lightvoice sent this to me and I thought it was just as interesting as the first post I made





Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who

signed the Declaration of Independence?



Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.



Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.



Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.



They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.



What kind of men were they?



Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants,

nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of

means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration

of Independence knowing full well that the penalty

would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader,

saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.

He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and

died in rags.



Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he

was forced to move his family almost constantly.

He served in the Congress without pay, and his family

was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,

and poverty was his reward.



Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.



At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.

He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.

The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.



Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.



John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill

were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves,

returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.



So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.



Remember: freedom is never free!



It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a

sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/sentinelsotu.html

http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp


Information that is a bit more accurate

That was Very cool information I did not know...I have been there as a child but never knew this...if you get the chance to visit its just so unforgetable.

I live near there, yet have never been to Arlington Cemetery.

Thanks for the links

....like I said I only reposted what was sent to me

I have visited there and it is very humbling....may their souls rest in peace..

I have been to Arlington twice. I saw Joe's crypt, but didn't know that he was a Veteran until I got home. He boxed for the Army team as his way of serving. I think Wilbur Wright is also buried there, as well as many astronauts.

If you want to spend a somber day, go to Arlington after going to The Wall. You will first see the friends, relatives, and fellow soldiers showing respect for those that fell in, or due to, Viet Nam and Cambodia, and then at Arlington, you will see the entire world show respect to our Troops from our countries start up until this very day.

I live a mile north of Abe Lincoln Nat'l Cem. here in Elwood, IL. If I am going up Hwy 53(Route 66) between Joliet and here, and see a funeral procession coming south, not only do I pull over, but I get out of my car, and salute them, as I know they are going to be with our Brothers and Sisters.