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Frog
MMT Sponsor
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:49 am Posts: 3260
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ARLINGTON CEMETERY
ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Jeopardy Question:
On Jeopardy awhile back, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns?" All three contestants missed it! This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance . 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.
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 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 Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and 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 service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
God Bless and keep them.
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:32 am |
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baron von
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:52 pm Posts: 2806 Location: Minnesota
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
humbling
_________________ that's going itch when it dries
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:40 am |
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cb5331
MMT Super Elite Member
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:10 pm Posts: 16915 Location: Rowlett, TX
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Nice. Very cool read.
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:09 am |
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SETx Longtail
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:53 pm Posts: 3480 Location: Hardin County, Tx
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
I was there almost exactly a year ago and you would not believe the lack of respect for this place and for the monuments in DC in general. It was disgusting. The general public just doesn't get it, and they should to some degree. I'm not talking about just young people either. It was all ages.
Watching the changing of the guard and watching the soldier walk his post is an absolutely incredible experience. I was part of many burial details and color guards and even took part in some funerals in Arlington, these guys never cease to amaze me.
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:11 am |
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Team Schmo
MMT F.E.
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:05 pm Posts: 814 Location: Montana
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Impressive read, and that's dedication!!
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:57 am |
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Marshmaster45
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:01 pm Posts: 355 Location: larose,la.
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Visited there several years back, I remember it like yesterday , it is a place of aw , honor and respect also very humbling and an overwhelming since of gratitude over takes you as you realize the amount of what seems like an endless amount of burial crosses of those that gave their lives for us an our country.
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 12:09 pm |
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guidry21
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:33 pm Posts: 338 Location: galliano, la
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
This is a good read.
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Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:49 pm |
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JD145
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:01 pm Posts: 1289 Location: SWGA
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Extremely interesting, amazing sacrifice by thoseguys
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Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:40 am |
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B Alsabrook
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:29 am Posts: 277
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Good reading.
I went there when I was 12 years old. I'm now 36. Even then i understood the sincerity and respect given as did the other people that were there. I've seen the videos lately and it's shameful the way the public acts now.
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Thu Apr 09, 2015 11:17 pm |
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BlackRiverJosh
MMT Addict
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:49 pm Posts: 662 Location: Camden, SC
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Interesting post. I had no idea at all. May God bless our great country and all that served.
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Fri Apr 10, 2015 8:23 am |
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petrel
MMT F.E.
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:51 am Posts: 770 Location: NVA
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Thank you for read. Incredible stuff. I find all of those war memorials and cemeteries very moving. I also find the people who go there without due respect absolutely infuriating.
A dear friend's father was interred at Quantico last summer. The honor guard and band stood at unwavering attention in the sweltering heat, while we were attending the service in the Marine Corps Chapel. Afterwards they carried his casket to his grave...no hearse! The entire ceremony was awe inspiring and humbling. I felt almost unworthy to even be witnessing it.
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Fri Apr 10, 2015 8:45 am |
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GDSArgo
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 12:39 pm Posts: 341 Location: Houston Delaware
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
If memory serves me right one of the facts we were told during the tour was that unknown soldiers in the tomb are becoming less because of modern science and the ability to test DNA. It is an awe inspiring display of the ultimate sacrifice. When one human lays down there own life so a group of others can enjoy the freedom that we have come to take advantage of and expect is the ultimate sacrifice we should be deeply thankful for everyday.
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Fri Apr 10, 2015 1:17 pm |
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VooDoo Daddy
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:55 pm Posts: 2005
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
I have watched it. It was about 20 years ago and I have to say I was teary eyed as I watched and thought about all those people that have given their lives and time in service for us to live in the comfort that we do.
I cannot believe a 30 inch waist. When I was in my early 20's, 6ft even, I had a 30 inch waist, I worked construction and was is great shape. But I ate hardly anything working out in the heat all day.
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Sun Apr 12, 2015 8:17 am |
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Hernaja1
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:29 am Posts: 2465 Location: Sulphur , La
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Amazing showing of appreciation when your willing to sacrifice that much of your life to show your appreciation to the fallen unnamed soldiers!!!
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Sun Apr 12, 2015 6:12 pm |
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Waterfowl Fool
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:58 pm Posts: 354 Location: Okeechobee - Florida
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Re: ARLINGTON CEMETERY
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Sat Jun 20, 2015 3:18 am |
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