Lest We Never Forget
- Leigh Gerstenberger
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Next week on Tuesday, November 11th our country will observe Veteran’s Day and honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, living and deceased. This observance is intended to express our nation’s gratitude for veterans' service, courage, and sacrifice, which includes acknowledging the human cost of war and military service on individuals and their families.
One of the most somber expressions of our country’s gratitude can be found at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument at Arlington National Cemetery dedicated to deceased U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified.
On a recent episode of Jeopardy, the final question was: “How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown?” All three contestants responded incorrectly.
This week, to honor all our country’s veterans, I thought I’d share some additional information on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The guards, who are referred to as sentinels, are both men and women.
How many steps does the guard take during their walk across the Tomb of the Unknown and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary.
How long does the guard wait after their about face to begin their return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as above.
Why are the guard’s gloves wet? The guard’s gloves are moistened to prevent losing their grip on the rifle.
Do the guards carry their rifles on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? Guards carry their rifles on their outside shoulder away from the tomb. After they march across the path, they execute an about face and in doing so, move their rifle to their outside shoulder for their return march toward the tomb.
How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, they must be between 5' 8” and 6' 4” tall and their waist size cannot exceed 30”.
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit two years of life to guard the tomb, live in 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 (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. Only 400 pins are presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
Their 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 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.
During the first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone or watch television.
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 Presidents Kennedy and Taft, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, boxer Joe E. Lewis and Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy of Hollywood fame who was also the most decorated soldier of World War II.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting their uniforms ready for guard duty.
In 2003 as hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, the United States Senate and House of Representatives took two days off in anticipation of the storm.
The military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend their assignment.
They respectfully declined the offer. 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 1937.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.