Memorial Day

This just amazes me...It's just awesome to know that there are still honorable, diligent young men out there! Men that are willing to serve in such a dedicated fashion. I am so proud of every branch of our military!!!! Thank you for serving your country. Thank you for fighting for our freedom's and liberties.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you...

Jesus Christ and the American Soldier

One for your soul, the other for your freedom

ARLINGTON  CEMETERY  

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 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.  

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. 

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

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

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 Unknown Soldier 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 serviceperson.  The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.  

 God Bless and keep them. 

We can  be very proud of our young men and women in the  service no matter where they serve.

IN   GOD WE  TRUST 

Blessings, ♥T