Wow!!! Becky
-------------------------------------------------- From: "Sherri Crum" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:03 PM To: <[email protected]> Subject: [RecipesAndMore] About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers > > On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was: How many steps does > the > guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns? ------ 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 [?] 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. > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
