Day 2426: too good not to share ...

tennies: photo, collage & digital

Want music?

 

Click here for The Righteous Brothers, Unchained Melody.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

too good not to share ...

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy Question:

On Jeopardy the other 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!   

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 (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.

 In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington DC, 

  our US Senate/House took 2 days off in 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 service person. The tomb has been patrolled 
continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.

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

Puppy Update:

Spent some time puppy sitting yesterday and today.

It's a different dynamic now, as Zoey nears Laker in size.

 Zoey will be one, and Laker will be eight in April.

Amazing to watch her grow?

A smile for Monday ...