Monday, May 24, 2010

Preparing for Memorial Day

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in D.C and is guarded 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  I recently learned that once you become a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown solider, you can never drink alcohol again nor can you swear.  I decided to research this and discovered the following interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.
-The guard takes 21 steps across the tomb of the unknown to signify a 21-gun salute.  This is the highest honor given to any military dignitary.
-The guard also hesitates for 21 seconds before his about face to also signify the 21-gun salute.
-The guard's gloves are wet to prevent the rifle from slipping from his hands.
-He carries his rifle on the shoulder furthest away from the tomb.
-Guards are changed every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
-There are very strict physical requirements for the guard.  They must be between 5'10" and 6'2".
-There waist size cannot exceed 30".
-They must commit two years of service to the tomb and live underneath the tomb in barracks during that time.
-They can not drink alcohol once they become a guard of the tomb of the unknown nor can they swear.  This isn't just while they are serving as a guard, this is for the rest of their life.
-The first six months of duty the new guardsman cannot speak to anyone or watch television.  They must learn the names of all 175 notable people lain to rest at Arlington Cemetary and where they are interred.
-The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

2 comments:

  1. I did not take the picture above of the tomb of the unknown soldier.

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  2. Ok so you need to tell me the story behind the tomb of the unknown soldier. The facts about the guards are very interesting.

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