Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Here are some interesting things about The 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

Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle

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.

This should have been marked with the trigger icon

We are not american, but the principle is the same, we have those tombs for the unknown soldiers too

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old"

It is ANZAC Day on 25th April "Lest we forget"

WOW! I thought that was very interesting. I never knew most of that info. Thank you for sharing it.

BJ

I had read this before
Read about it as I have a ww11 vet I placed to rest

the ((((unknown soldiers ))))))) matter

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is really moving.
I rember some of that stuff but I didn't know about the 21 steps.
I saw it last May and I got to see the changing of the guards it was really neat. I have never heard such a large crowd of people be so quite before.

It is one of the most moving things I have ever seen
such respect

"twenty-one gun salute" "and the taps brings tears to my eyes"
my father inlaw had both

I didn't know most of those facts and find them very interesting. Thank you for sharing them.

Very interesting...

another interesting fact about Arlington National Cemetary

there is only 1 grave marked with a single small wooden cross

its Robert F. Kennedy.....buried against a hillside down the path
from his brother John.....

I knew it was considered an honor to guard the tomb but I had no idea the sacrifices they made to do it. It's inspiring.

And my hat's off to any soldier who, in any country, fought for peace and human dignity.

Cyran0

ANZAC Day
Today is ANZAC Day, we can't work out how to explain the significance of this to Australians to the rest of you, wherever you live.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
The Ode of Remembrance

"They shall grow not old. As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".

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http://www.ausvets.com.au/tradition.htm

Our great-uncle had his leg ampuated on this beach, with no anaesthetics or pain killers, they held them down.
Strangely the doctor who had to do this butchery on the beach, was the same doctor who delivered us at birth. He came home & became an obstetrician, but he could never forget.

LEST WE FORGET

Thanks for sharing, it is important to honor those from any country who have fallen in the line of duty. Austrailians are a wonderful and noble people. Thank you for the link and the related info. I will take time today to think of those in your country who have given themselves in it's defense.

Take care

TJ