The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. On the left is the Commanding Sergeant. The Guard in the middle is a female guard being relieved. The Guard on the right is coming on duty. Taken Sept. 10, 2016.
To everyone who has served or who is serving in our armed forces, “Happy Veterans Day” on Friday. If you haven’t visited Washington, D.C., I hope someday you’ll have an opportunity to visit the hallow grounds of Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River.
The following was the final Jeopardy question: “How many steps does the guard take during his/her walk across the tomb of the unknows and why? The answers are at the end of this commentary, no looking back and forth!
OK, let’s see how much you know.
2. How long does the guard hesitate and why?
3. Why are the guard’s gloves wet?
4. Does the guard carry his/her rifle on the same shoulder, if not, why?
5. How often are the guards changed? 6. What are the physical traits of a guard?
Before I give you the answers to the six questions, here are the remaining requirements of each guard. Each guard has to commit to serve for two years. The guards are required to live in the barracks under the tomb. Here comes a challenging requirement, guards cannot drink any alcohol for the rest of his/her life! Guards cannot swear in public nor disgrace the uniform or tomb in any way. After serving as a guard for two years, each guard receives a wreath pin. Presently, 400 wreath pins are worn by former guards. Each former guard must obey the rules including no alcohol for life or they must return their wreath pin.
Do you know why the soles of the guard’s shoe are so thick? The soles are thick to protect the guard’s feet from either the cold or hot weather. The shoes have metal heel plates which make a loud click when the guard comes to a halt.
Carefully inspect the guard on duty. You will not see a wrinkle, a fold, or any lint on the guard’s uniform. Each guard is required to dress in front of a full-length mirror. Guards spends four hours polishing brass and shoes along with ironing, pressing and getting dressed in their uniform each day.
A guard cannot talk nor watch television for their first six months. Each guard is required to know where 175 notable people are buried.
The tomb of the unknown soldier has been guarded 24/7 every day since 1930. In 2003 Hurricane Isabelle was approaching the DC area. All the federal government employees were dismissed from work to return home before Isabelle hit the area. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guards were informed that they did not have to be on duty during Isabelle. In unison the guards responded, “We will remain on duty, sir!” The guards were on duty while Isabelle pelted them with rain soaking all their clothing and winds over one hundred mph even though there was nobody watching them. Yes, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground.
Extra credit, do you know who owned the land before it became Arlington National Cemetery? The land belonged to the Union General Robert E. Lee from 1830 to 1861 until he decided to command the Confederate Army of Virginia. At that time a property owner had to pay their property taxes in person. General Lee couldn’t appear in public without being arrested by Union Troops because he was the Confederate commander. Robert E. and Mary Anna Curtis Lee’s seven children were born and raised at the Lee’s residence. It was made a cemetery so the Lees could never live there again. The Lees paid dearly for siding with the South. Union and Confederate soldiers are resting in Arlington National Cemetery.
Answers:
1. 21 steps, the highest honor in the military is a 21-gun salute.
2. 21 seconds, the highest honor in the military.
3. The guard’s gloves are wet to prevent the guard from losing their grip on their rifle.
4. Each guard carries their rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.
5. The guards are changed every thirty minutes, 24/7 every day of the year no exceptions.
6. The guards are between 5’ 10” to 6’ 2” with a waist no more than 30 inches.
FYI special guests, like Honor Flight Nevada, are seated in a special section across from where the general public. A guard at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier cannot look at or make a sound to recognize anyone. The only way the guard can recognize the Honor Flight Veterans is to scrape one of their taps while passing in front of the Vets.