astarslogo astarstitle Contact Me
Join my mailing list
Site Map
home2.gif
aboutdoreen2.gif
marticle2.gif
sponsor2.gif
donations3.gif
cafepress2.gif
stitchastar2.gif
stitchers2.gif
press2.gif
heroes2.gif
victimslist2.gif
safehaven.gif
corpdonors2.gif
americana2.gif
charitableevents2red.gif
indiegogo.gif
spacer
spacer












 

Tomb of the Unknowns




This information is the result of a question posed on Jeopardy, the intellectual game show on ABC that actually asks its contestants to use their brains (unlike many others that do not!).





On Jeopardy one 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. Fascinating.


Tomb of the Unknowns


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. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. 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.


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 Unknowns 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.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

G-d Bless and keep them.

 
 
 


Share

Share this website with your Facebook friends!



Email Doreen Picture

If the email button does not work in your browser, you can contact me at Doreen@AmericanaStars.org. Thank you.

AmericanaStars.org
Rego Park, New York, 11374 USA

Website Designed by Leigh Little & Doreen Lynn Saunders    /     Contact Webmaster

All designs and graphics on this website are copyrighted.
If you have any questions about usage or licensing, please email Doreen
at the link above and she will be happy to talk to you.

The work for this website is being done by volunteers who support The Americana Stars Memorial.
All items purchased through AmericanaArts.com contribute to the support and production of the memorial.



DOREEN LYNN SAUNDERS & AMERICANA ARTS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED