[Vision2020] Facts about the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Dick Schmidt dickschmidt@moscow.com
Wed, 28 Apr 2004 18:45:26 -0700


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All,

I received this as one of many adressees and cannot swear to the =
accruacy of this article. Some of the information I have heard before. =
Tom Hansen probably would know as much about it as anyone on the list. I =
don't know if I could handle not being able to drink alcohol or swear in =
public the rest of my life if that is a true fact!!!

Dick Schmidt


Subject: TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the =
Sentinels=20
of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"

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?

No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his=20
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=20
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=20
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=20
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=20
up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and=20
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.

The Sentinels Creed:
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the
responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and
perseverance my
standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and =
praise
and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble =
reverence
tothe best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. =
His
bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day
alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored =
glory rest under my
eternal vigilance.

More Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:

The marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont =
Marble
Company of Danby, Vt. The marble is the finest and whitest of American
marble, quarried from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, =
Colorado and is
called Yule Marble. The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other famous
buildings was also quarried there.

The Tomb consists of seven pieces of rectangular marble:
Four pieces in sub base; weight =C2- 15 tons;
One piece in base or plinth; weight =C2- 16 tons;
One piece in die; weight =C2- 36 tons;
One piece in cap; weight =C2- 12 tons;
Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington,
D.C.)
is a composite of three figures, commemorative of the spirit of the =
Allies
of World War I.

In the center of the panel stands Victory (female).

On the right side, a male figure symbolizes Valor.

On the left side stands Peace, with her palm branch to reward the =
devotion
and sacrifice that went with courage to make the cause of righteousness
triumphant.

The north and south sides are divided into three panels by Doric =
pilasters.
In each panel is an inverted wreath.

On the west, or rear, panel (facing the Amphitheater) is inscribed:

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sub base and a base or =
plinth.
It was slightly smaller than the present base. This was torn away when =
the
present Tomb was started Aug. 27, 1931. The Tomb was completed and the =
area
opened to the public 9:15 a.m. April 9, 1932, without any ceremony.

Cost of the Tomb: $48,000
Sculptor: Thomas Hudson Jones
Architect: Lorimer Rich
Contractors: Hagerman & Harris, New York City
Inscription: Author Unknown

(Interesting Commentary)

The Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility for
providing ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White =
House social
functions, public celebrations and interments at Arlington National=20
Cemetery and standing a very formal sentry watch at the Tomb of the =
Unknowns.

The public is familiar with the precision of what is called "walking =
post"
at the Tomb. There are roped off galleries where visitors can form to =
observe
the troopers and their measured step and almost mechanically, silent =
rifle
shoulder changes. They are relieved every hour in a very formal drill =
that
has to be seen to be believed.

Some people think that when the Cemetery is closed to the public in the
evening that this show stops. First, to the men who are dedicated to =
this
work, it is no show. It is a "charge of honor." The formality and =
precision=20
continues uninterrupted all night. During the nighttime, the drill of =
relief and the
measured step of the on-duty sentry remain unchanged from the daylight
hours. To these men, these special men, the continuity of this post is =
the key to the
honor and respect shown to these honored dead, symbolic of all =
unaccounted
for American combat dead. The steady rhythmic step in rain, sleet, snow, =
hail,
heat and cold must be uninterrupted. Uninterrupted is the important part =
of the
honor shown.

Recently, while you were sleeping, the teeth of hurricane Isabel came
through this area and tore hell out of everything. We had thousands of =
trees down,
power outages, traffic signals out, roads filled with downed limbs and=20
"gear adrift" debris. We had flooding and the place looked like it had =
been the
impact area of an off-shore bombardment.

The Regimental Commander of the U.S. Third Infantry sent word to the
nighttime Sentry Detail to secure the post and seek shelter from the =
high
winds, to ensure their personal safety.

THEY DISOBEYED THE ORDER!

During winds that turned over vehicles and turned debris into =
projectiles,
the measured step continued. One fellow said "I've got buddies getting =
shot
at in Iraq who would kick my butt if word got to them that we let them =
down. I
sure as hell have no intention of spending my Army career being known as =

the damned idiot who couldn't stand a little light breeze and shirked =
his duty."
Then he said something in response to a female reporters question =
regarding=20
silly purposeless personal risk... "I wouldn't expect you to understand. =
It's an
enlisted man's thing." God bless the rascal... In a time in our nation's
history when spin and total b.s. seem to have become the accepted=20
coin-of-the-realm, there beat hearts - the enlisted hearts we all knew =
and=20
were so damn proudto be
a part of - that fully understand that devotion to duty is not a =
part-time
occupation. While we slept, we were represented by some damn fine men =
who
fully understood their post orders and proudly went about their assigned
responsibilities unseen, unrecognized and in the finest tradition of the
American Enlisted Man.=20
Folks, there's hope. The spirit that George S. Patton,=20
Arliegh Burke and Jimmy Doolittle left us ... survives.

On the ABC evening news, it was reported recently that, because of the
dangers from Hurricane Isabel approaching Washington, DC, the military
members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier =
were given
permission to suspend the assignment. They refused. "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.

Very, very proud of our soldiers in uniform!

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<DIV>All,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I received this as one of many adressees and&nbsp;cannot swear to =
the=20
accruacy of this article. Some of the information I have heard before. =
Tom=20
Hansen probably would know as much about it as anyone on the list. I =
don't know=20
if I could handle not being able to drink alcohol or swear in public the =
rest of=20
my life if that is a true fact!!!</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Dick Schmidt</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Subject: TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER<BR><BR>Interesting facts about =
the=20
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels <BR>of the Third United =
States=20
Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"<BR><BR>1. How many steps does the guard =
take=20
during his walk across the tomb of <BR>the Unknowns and why?<BR><BR>21 =
steps. It=20
alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest<BR>honor =
given any=20
military or foreign dignitary.<BR><BR>2. How long does he hesitate after =
his=20
about face to begin his return walk<BR>and why?<BR><BR>21 seconds, for =
the same=20
reason as answer number 1.<BR><BR>3. Why are his gloves wet?<BR><BR>His =
gloves=20
are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.<BR><BR>4. =
Does he=20
carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not,<BR>why =
not?</DIV>
<DIV><BR>No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. =
After his=20
<BR>march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle =
to=20
the<BR>outside shoulder.<BR><BR>5. How often are the guards=20
changed?<BR><BR>Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four =
hours a=20
day, 365 days <BR>a year.<BR><BR>6. What are the physical traits of the =
guard=20
limited to?<BR><BR>For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he =
must be=20
between 5' 10"<BR>and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed=20
30".<BR><BR>Other requirements of the Guard:<BR><BR>They must commit 2 =
years of=20
life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks <BR>under the tomb, and =
cannot drink=20
any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR<BR>LIVES. They cannot =
swear in=20
public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot<BR>disgrace the uniform =
{fighting}=20
or the tomb in any way.<BR><BR>After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a =
wreath pin=20
that is worn on their <BR>lapel signifying they served as guard of the =
tomb.=20
There are only 400 presently<BR>worn. The guard must obey these rules =
for the=20
rest of their lives or give <BR>up the wreath pin.<BR><BR>The shoes are=20
specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and <BR>cold from =
their=20
feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the<BR>shoe =
in order=20
to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no<BR>wrinkles, =
folds=20
or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of =
a<BR>full-length=20
mirror.<BR><BR>The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to =
anyone, nor=20
watch TV.<BR>All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people =
laid to=20
rest in<BR>Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they =
are and=20
where<BR>they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe =
E. Lewis=20
{the boxer}<BR>and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most =
decorated=20
soldier of WWII} of<BR>Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A =
DAY=20
getting his uniforms<BR>ready for guard duty.<BR><BR>The Sentinels =
Creed:<BR>My=20
dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In=20
the<BR>responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with =
dignity=20
and<BR>perseverance my<BR>standard will remain perfection. Through the =
years of=20
diligence and praise<BR>and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk =
my tour=20
in humble reverence<BR>tothe best of my ability. It is he who commands =
the=20
respect I protect. His<BR>bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by =
well=20
meaning crowds by day<BR>alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this =
soldier=20
will in honored glory rest under my<BR>eternal vigilance.<BR><BR>More=20
Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:<BR><BR>The =
marble for=20
the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont Marble<BR>Company =
of=20
Danby, Vt. The marble is the finest and whitest of American<BR>marble, =
quarried=20
from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, Colorado and =
is<BR>called Yule=20
Marble. The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other =
famous<BR>buildings was=20
also quarried there.<BR><BR>The Tomb consists of seven pieces of =
rectangular=20
marble:<BR>Four pieces in sub base; weight =C2- 15 tons;<BR>One piece in =
base or=20
plinth; weight =C2- 16 tons;<BR>One piece in die; weight =C2- 36 =
tons;<BR>One piece=20
in cap; weight =C2- 12 tons;<BR>Carved on the East side (the front of =
the Tomb,=20
which faces Washington,<BR>D.C.)<BR>is a composite of three figures,=20
commemorative of the spirit of the Allies<BR>of World War I.<BR><BR>In =
the=20
center of the panel stands Victory (female).<BR><BR>On the right side, a =
male=20
figure symbolizes Valor.<BR><BR>On the left side stands Peace, with her =
palm=20
branch to reward the devotion<BR>and sacrifice that went with courage to =
make=20
the cause of righteousness<BR>triumphant.<BR><BR>The north and south =
sides are=20
divided into three panels by Doric pilasters.<BR>In each panel is an =
inverted=20
wreath.<BR><BR>On the west, or rear, panel (facing the Amphitheater) is=20
inscribed:<BR><BR>HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN =
BUT TO=20
GOD<BR><BR>The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sub base and a =
base or=20
plinth.<BR>It was slightly smaller than the present base. This was torn =
away=20
when the<BR>present Tomb was started Aug. 27, 1931. The Tomb was =
completed and=20
the area<BR>opened to the public 9:15 a.m. April 9, 1932, without any=20
ceremony.<BR><BR>Cost of the Tomb: $48,000<BR>Sculptor: Thomas Hudson=20
Jones<BR>Architect: Lorimer Rich<BR>Contractors: Hagerman &amp; Harris, =
New York=20
City<BR>Inscription: Author Unknown<BR><BR>(Interesting =
Commentary)<BR><BR>The=20
Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility =
for<BR>providing=20
ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White House=20
social<BR>functions, public celebrations and interments at Arlington =
National=20
<BR>Cemetery and standing a very formal sentry watch at the Tomb of the=20
Unknowns.<BR><BR>The public is familiar with the precision of what is =
called=20
"walking post"<BR>at the Tomb. There are roped off galleries where =
visitors can=20
form to observe<BR>the troopers and their measured step and almost =
mechanically,=20
silent rifle<BR>shoulder changes. They are relieved every hour in a very =
formal=20
drill that<BR>has to be seen to be believed.<BR><BR>Some people think =
that when=20
the Cemetery is closed to the public in the<BR>evening that this show =
stops.=20
First, to the men who are dedicated to this<BR>work, it is no show. It =
is a=20
"charge of honor." The formality and precision <BR>continues =
uninterrupted all=20
night. During the nighttime, the drill of relief and the<BR>measured =
step of the=20
on-duty sentry remain unchanged from the daylight<BR>hours. To these =
men, these=20
special men, the continuity of this post is the key to the<BR>honor and =
respect=20
shown to these honored dead, symbolic of all unaccounted<BR>for American =
combat=20
dead. The steady rhythmic step in rain, sleet, snow, hail,<BR>heat and =
cold must=20
be uninterrupted. Uninterrupted is the important part of the<BR>honor=20
shown.<BR><BR>Recently, while you were sleeping, the teeth of hurricane =
Isabel=20
came<BR>through this area and tore hell out of everything. We had =
thousands of=20
trees down,<BR>power outages, traffic signals out, roads filled with =
downed=20
limbs and <BR>"gear adrift" debris. We had flooding and the place looked =
like it=20
had been the<BR>impact area of an off-shore bombardment.<BR><BR>The =
Regimental=20
Commander of the U.S. Third Infantry sent word to the<BR>nighttime =
Sentry Detail=20
to secure the post and seek shelter from the high<BR>winds, to ensure =
their=20
personal safety.<BR><BR>THEY DISOBEYED THE ORDER!<BR><BR>During winds =
that=20
turned over vehicles and turned debris into projectiles,<BR>the measured =
step=20
continued. One fellow said "I've got buddies getting shot<BR>at in Iraq =
who=20
would kick my butt if word got to them that we let them down. I<BR>sure =
as hell=20
have no intention of spending my Army career being known as <BR>the =
damned idiot=20
who couldn't stand a little light breeze and shirked his duty."<BR>Then =
he said=20
something in response to a female reporters question regarding <BR>silly =

purposeless personal risk... "I wouldn't expect you to understand. It's=20
an<BR>enlisted man's thing." God bless the rascal... In a time in our=20
nation's<BR>history when spin and total b.s. seem to have become the =
accepted=20
<BR>coin-of-the-realm, there beat hearts - the enlisted hearts we all =
knew and=20
</DIV>
<DIV>were so damn proudto be<BR>a part of - that fully understand that =
devotion=20
to duty is not a part-time<BR>occupation. While we slept, we were =
represented by=20
some damn fine men who<BR>fully understood their post orders and proudly =
went=20
about their assigned<BR>responsibilities unseen, unrecognized and in the =
finest=20
tradition of the<BR>American Enlisted Man. </DIV>
<DIV>Folks, there's hope. The spirit that George S. Patton, <BR>Arliegh =
Burke=20
and Jimmy Doolittle left us ... survives.<BR><BR>On the ABC evening =
news, it was=20
reported recently that, because of the<BR>dangers from Hurricane Isabel=20
approaching Washington, DC, the military<BR>members assigned the duty of =

guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given<BR>permission to =
suspend the=20
assignment. They refused. "No way, Sir!"<BR><BR>Soaked to the skin, =
marching in=20
the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they<BR>said that guarding the =
Tomb was=20
not just an assignment; it was the highest<BR>honor that can be afforded =
to a=20
service person. The tomb has been patrolled<BR>continuously, 24/7, since =

1930.<BR><BR>Very, very proud of our soldiers in=20
uniform!<BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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