147: We May Not Know Their Names But..

Veteran's Day is this Friday and a wonderful video ended up in our in-box which has prompted me
to spend a little time on the proud members of our country's "Old Guard."

We may not know the names of the Unknown Soldiers, but they will never be forgotten.  The Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery will make sure of that.  If you have ever wondered what it takes to join that honored group of 400, it might just surprise you. 

The 3rd United States Infantry has served our Nation continuously since 1784, and today is the oldest active-duty Infantry unit in the U.S. Army.  Headquartered out of Fort Myer, Virginia, it is traditionally known as "The Old Guard."  Since WWII The Old Guard has been the Army's official HONOR GUARD.  One of their most recognized responsibilities is providing sentinels...Tomb Guards, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington,Virginia.  Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather.

The first recipient of this badge was William Daniel, a former prisoner of war who served

as a tomb sentinel and sergeant of the guard at
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from February 1957 to June 1960.

Women were not eligible to receive the badge
until a female military police unit was assigned
to The Old Guard in 1993, thus allowing women to volunteer for guard duty at the Tomb.  The
first female soldier to earn the badge was Sgt.
Heather Lynn Johnsen.  In 1997 Danyell Elaine Wilson became the first African American woman to earn the badge.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the name of the third woman. There are height requirements that make these women distinguished, as well,

1st Relief sentries    6'2" to 6'4"
2nd Relief sentries   6'  to 6'2"
3rd Relief sentries   5'11" to 6'

                                               HERE RESTS IN
                                               HONORED GLORY
                                               AN AMERICAN
                                               SOLDIER
                                               KNOWN BUT TO GOD




The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns.  It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

He hesitates 21 seconds, turns to face the Tomb then turns to begin his return walk. Twenty-one seconds refers to the gun salute.

His gloves are wet to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the Tomb.  As he turns and faces the Tomb to make his return trip he moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Applicants must be between 5' 11" and 6' 4" and his waist cannot exceed 30".

They must commit 2 years of their lives 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 (fighting) 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 they wear during duty 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.

For their first 6 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 Cemetery, a guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are:  President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer),  and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame.

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

After all of that, if you wonder what happens if the solemness of the occasion is broken, take a minute
and watch the video below.        



There must be protocol for each and every event that may occur...I just don't care to see what COULD happen...suffice it to say I'll be a good girl.