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[pmillen]

1.  How many steps does the guard take during the walk across the tomb of the Unknowns?
21 steps.  It alludes to the twenty-one-gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2.  How long do the guards hesitate after their about face to begin the return walk?
21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.

3.  Are the guards gloves wet?
Their gloves are moistened to prevent losing grip on the rifle.

4.  Does the guard carry the rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
Guards carries their rifles on the shoulder away from the tomb.  After their march across the path, they execute two 90° movements—left-faces at the south end and right-faces at the north end (with a 21 second rest between them)—and move the rifle to the outside shoulder.  The rifle is always on the outside shoulder to signify that the guard protects the tomb from threat.

5.  Is the tomb ever unguarded?
No.  The tomb is guarded twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6.  What are the guards' physical requirements?
Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall, with a proportionate weight and build.

Hurricane Isabel hit the Atlantic Coast of the United States on 19 September 2003 with fury and left a trail of devastation.  Yet not even a hurricane is stronger than a soldier’s sense of duty.  Sentries spent the entire night guarding the tomb and suffering the weather rather than leave their posts.

[mo-kid]

my wife and I stood for hours in amazement at these soldiers. I followed one back as he finished his orders, he said that it is such a privilege to be a part of this section. He said it is not uncommon for these soldiers to march until their knees are almost gone.

[yorkdude]

Absolutely amazing. Thanks for the reminder.

[Bentley]

Yeah, think about X month and Y day, a no name date, it's 3 am, there is a blizzard in Arlington and your up.  No crowds, it's you, God and the Tomb.  That is honor and dedication.  They are way out of my league...Thank you for this post.

A photo of them during hurricane Sandy.


Image courtesy of Barbarba Stickel

Hurricane Isabel hit the Atlantic Coast of the United States on 19 September 2003 with fury and left a trail of devastation.  Yet not even a hurricane is stronger than a soldier’s sense of duty.  Sentries spent the entire night guarding the tomb and suffering the weather rather than leave their posts.

[Free Mr. Tony]

It is one of the few things I remember about our 8th grade trip to DC. I can still visualize standing there.

[cookingjnj]

Amazing and very special young soldiers who truly understand what "Duty" and "Honor" mean.  It is very symbolic of our military hero's.  They watch over this very special tomb day and night even when nobody is watching, just like their fellow soldiers around the world stand watch while we sleep at night.  They do it to ensure nothing will ever happen to that monument or any of us during their watch!  For those who are serving, and for those who have served, Thank You, we all wish those words could convey our feelings more than they do!  You are all very special people!

[Kristin Meredith]

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
Gettysburg Address (partial)

[Kristin Meredith]

From the facebook page of "The Old Guard", the men who guard the tomb of the Unknowns, posted 12 hours ago:

 Yesterday, torrential rain and drastic wind gusts overcame America’s most hallowed grounds. Visitors ran for cover. News media piled into vehicles together. The streets flooded. Trees as old as the cemetery itself broke at the trunk and came crashing down. But America's Regiment endured. They found low ground and held fast through the wind and the rain. Some had to be to ordered to stand down from planting flags, still determined to continue to honor the fallen.

During the storm, one of the most extraordinary displays of discipline and dedication to duty ever to be witnessed at Arlington National Cemetery was taking place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. With only a few watching from cover, a Tomb Sentinel approached the Unknowns with U.S. flags in hand. As thunder shook the ground and rains washed down without abandon, the Tomb Sentinel pierced through the elements with breath-taking precision. He knelt and placed the flags in honor of the Unknowns. For the select few who saw this moment, it was jaw-dropping. Humans have their limits, but The Old Guard has yet to meet theirs.

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

[pmillen]

Thanks, Kristin.

[MysticRhythms]

Wow. This is just inspiring.

[yorkdude]

Wow, unbelievable.

[cookingjnj]

I am forever awed by those who serve, and the importance that service means to each of them.