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LJ Idol Week 6: Heel Turn
Jan. 20th, 2017 11:57 amThe tomb guard marches 21 steps south down, he turns to faces east toward the tomb for 21 seconds.
He then turns to faces north, changes his weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds. He marches 21 steps down the mat and faces east for 21 seconds. He finally turns to face south, changes his weapon to the outside shoulder and waits for 21 seconds. He will do this from anywhere between half an hour to two hours until the changing of the guard ceremony. The relief commander will tell the large gathering crowd at the Arlington National Cemetery to be silent for respect.
"Post and orders remain as directed."
"Orders acknowledged."
And thus the tomb guard has been protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continuously, without fail, since 1925, and 24/7 since 1937. He marches in the rain, he marches in the sleet, and he soldiers through blizzards. During blizzards, he is given a small tent, but most guards continue marching on, stating that it is a great honor to guard the tomb and the march must continue. All day and night there will be a specially trained US Army soldier to guard the tomb. The tomb guard must pass a difficult exam and serve for 9 months before being awarded the Guard,Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, the second rarest-awarded badge. He will take an average of six hours to prepare the heavy wool uniform and continue physical training for the duration of their post.
The first unknown soldier was brought from France after WWI. He was chosen by decorated wounded veteran U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger among four identical caskets of other unknown soldiers. The tomb has since received other "unknown" soldiers from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The tomb of one of the "unknown" Vietnam War soldiers was exhumed and DNA tested in 1998 to reveal the remains of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie. It is likely that all Vietnam War soldiers can be identified and no longer be "unknown", but not any earlier than that.
This is a good thing, for the purpose of the tomb is to honor veterans who have died in combat. We don't know their names, we don't know their identities, but we know they served their country and died for it and we know that the sentinels will always be there protecting their final burial place.
It is a humid 82 degrees and raining buckets. It is one of those torrential downpours common in the mid-August Virginia climate. The tomb guard is actually happy it's raining because he was feeling way too hot in his wools anyway. He marches 21 steps south as rain splatters on his face and faces east to the tomb. He thinks about the soldiers, mostly unknown that he presides over for the millionth time. He has pledged his life to protect their grave, since they could not be protected in war. He changes his weapon and faces north, continuing the march.
He then turns to faces north, changes his weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds. He marches 21 steps down the mat and faces east for 21 seconds. He finally turns to face south, changes his weapon to the outside shoulder and waits for 21 seconds. He will do this from anywhere between half an hour to two hours until the changing of the guard ceremony. The relief commander will tell the large gathering crowd at the Arlington National Cemetery to be silent for respect.
"Post and orders remain as directed."
"Orders acknowledged."
And thus the tomb guard has been protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continuously, without fail, since 1925, and 24/7 since 1937. He marches in the rain, he marches in the sleet, and he soldiers through blizzards. During blizzards, he is given a small tent, but most guards continue marching on, stating that it is a great honor to guard the tomb and the march must continue. All day and night there will be a specially trained US Army soldier to guard the tomb. The tomb guard must pass a difficult exam and serve for 9 months before being awarded the Guard,Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, the second rarest-awarded badge. He will take an average of six hours to prepare the heavy wool uniform and continue physical training for the duration of their post.
The first unknown soldier was brought from France after WWI. He was chosen by decorated wounded veteran U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger among four identical caskets of other unknown soldiers. The tomb has since received other "unknown" soldiers from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The tomb of one of the "unknown" Vietnam War soldiers was exhumed and DNA tested in 1998 to reveal the remains of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie. It is likely that all Vietnam War soldiers can be identified and no longer be "unknown", but not any earlier than that.
This is a good thing, for the purpose of the tomb is to honor veterans who have died in combat. We don't know their names, we don't know their identities, but we know they served their country and died for it and we know that the sentinels will always be there protecting their final burial place.
It is a humid 82 degrees and raining buckets. It is one of those torrential downpours common in the mid-August Virginia climate. The tomb guard is actually happy it's raining because he was feeling way too hot in his wools anyway. He marches 21 steps south as rain splatters on his face and faces east to the tomb. He thinks about the soldiers, mostly unknown that he presides over for the millionth time. He has pledged his life to protect their grave, since they could not be protected in war. He changes his weapon and faces north, continuing the march.
