Hi Janice, Thank you for sharing that information. I was unaware of the selflessness that these men have for their tasks, to honor the fallen in this way is a mark of true respect, of that which few could muster the internal strength of character to uphold.
On 30 March 2012 10:45, Janice Nichols <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hope you all don’t mind these emails tonite. Just thought you would > enjoy them since our website isn’t that busy anyway and I thought > these were all pretty great. > Janice > > > > > > > *Subject:* Jeopardy Question/Tomb of the Unknown Soldier > > > > > > > Jeopardy Question No One Could answer … I found this very > interesting … > ARLINGTON CEMETERY > > Jeopardy > Question: > > > 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 contestants 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. > > > 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. > > > > I'd be > very proud if this email > reached as many as possible. We can be very > proud of our young men > and > women > in the service no matter where they serve. > God Bless America > > No virus found in this message. > : 2114/4882 - Release Date: 03/20/12 > > > > > -- respectfully, *Glendon - (a.k.a Goat Dodders) * *...Living with Transverse-Myelitis **since 2007,* *in Brisbane, **Queensland, **Australia... * *email; [email protected]* *web-blog; bloodywishfulthinking.blogspot.com * *twitter; @GoatDodders <https://www.twitter.com/@GoatDodders>*
