Skeeter
12-06-2004, 04:18 PM
FACTS ABOUT THOSE WHO GUARD THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS
The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns, which alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
The guard hesitates 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk, which also alludes to the twenty-one gun salute.
The guard's gloves are wet to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle he carries.
The guard 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 other outside shoulder.
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
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 inches.
The guard must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb
The guards live in a barracks under the tomb.
The shoes worn by the guards 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.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
For 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 and where they are interred.
The guards cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives.
The guards cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
The guards 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 currently only 400 of these pins presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns, which alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
The guard hesitates 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk, which also alludes to the twenty-one gun salute.
The guard's gloves are wet to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle he carries.
The guard 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 other outside shoulder.
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
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 inches.
The guard must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb
The guards live in a barracks under the tomb.
The shoes worn by the guards 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.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
For 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 and where they are interred.
The guards cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives.
The guards cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
The guards 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 currently only 400 of these pins presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.