Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!  Please take time today to remember why you have the day off of work and are grilling in the nice weather.   Remember those that have served for our country.  Remember those that have died to protect our freedoms.

I miss my hero and am so thankful that he is safe even though he is in a dangerous place.  Thank you for serving our country honey. I love you!

"We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies."

-Moina Michael

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.