Sunday Morning Reflections Memorial Day 2020

  • May 24, 2020
  • Michael Blank
  • Category: Prayer Alerts

Memorial Day 2020  -  Tomb of the UNKNOWN SOLDIER

We need to remember these outstanding men and women who by their dedication and HONOR for fallen soldiers for all wars passed.

The Price of FREEDOM costs these lives for all of us to ENJOY our Constitutional Liberties.  Wake UP America and remember them!

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The Tomb Guard

Serving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Tomb) was a defining period in the lives of Tomb Guards. Although Tomb Guards come from every state in the United States of America (U.S.) and every walk of life, they are forever bonded through their shared experience of service at the Tomb. A strong bond was formed through an extremely demanding and humbling experience.

Tomb Guards are handpicked and rigorously trained. The duty at the Tomb is not for everyone, with the majority of soldiers who begin Tomb Guard training failing. Tomb Guards describe their service as a privilege and an honor and are undeniably proud of their service. They are part of an unbroken chain of soldiers dating back to 1926. The ideals of the Tomb became the Guidepost for their lives, as well as a motivating factor and measuring stick for future endeavors.

The Sentinel’s Creed is the Tomb Guard standard. The 99 words of the creed capture the true meaning of their duty. You will often hear the words “Line-6” proudly uttered by Tomb Guards as they converse with each other or with their chain of command.

 

The Sentinel's Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.

It is he who commands the respect I protect, his bravery that made us so proud.

Surrounded by well-meaning crowds by day, alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.  Simon 1971

The relief is lead by a Commander of the Relief (Staff Sergeant) who is responsible for the operation, welfare and morale of the relief. Ideally, the relief will consist of two teams, each consisting of an Assistant Relief Commander (Sergeant) and four additional Tomb Guards for a total of nine soldiers. The relief is lead and supported by Tomb Headquarters, consisting of the Platoon Leader (Lieutenant), Sergeant of the Guard (Sergeant First Class), Assistant Sergeant of the Guard (Staff Sergeant), the primary trainer and a driver.

The Platoon Leader oversees the administrative and operational functions of the Tomb. In addition, they serve in various ceremonial functions on the company level. The Sergeant of the Guard oversees the same day-to-day functions, mentors and develops junior Non-Commissioned Officers, and conducts presidential wreath laying ceremonies.

The three reliefs are on duty utilizing 24 hour rotational shifts. The Tomb Guards' day begins at 5:00 A.M. with arrival at the Tomb Quarters 1 for duty. The Tomb Guards will inspect the quarters, prepare their uniforms, review orders, and receive their duty assignments.

At 6:30 A.M., the Tomb Guards inspect the trainee's readiness and uniforms. If a trainee meets relevant standards, the Tomb Guard may allow them to walk the morning "bolo" 2 at 7:00 A.M. The evening "bolo" will be the final change and walk of the day.

 

During the hours of the day ANC is open to the public, the Tomb Guards will perform several Changing of the Guard and wreath laying ceremonies, and Walking the Mat. During summer hours, the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every half-hour, and during winter hours every hour. Although all walks are sacrosanct, the most coveted walk for a Tomb Guard is the noon "Noon Moon" 3 walk. Tomb Guards also conduct retreat and retire the colors in accordance with the military tradition.

During the same time, the trainees perform "mirror time" 4, conduct uniform preparation, study knowledge, check-in wreaths, and alert the Tomb Guards of the next Changing of the Guard by performing a "quarter till" 5.

 

The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. So, after the evening "bolo", non-ceremonial changes and walks in battle dress uniforms are performed until the next morning's "bolo". During this time, the Commander of the Relief usually conducts entire relief training. With repetition and meticulous attention to detail the relief works together on the various sequences emphasizing uniformity and cohesion. These night hours are the time when the trainees hone their skills. The mechanics of guard duty come naturally to very few. Trainers spend countless hours providing feedback and teaching the nuances of guard duty.

  1. The Tomb Quarters is located below the Memorial Amphitheater and is where the Tomb Guards live and work during their duty time. ↩
  2. The term bolo stands for "be on the look out" and is first and last guard change and walk prior to public ANC hours. The Tomb Guard may allow a trainee to walk the mat in full ceremonial uniform as practice. ↩
  3. The "Noon Moon" walk is coveted because it is the most visited, and therefore highest profile, Changing of the Guard and Walk of the day. ↩
  4. "Mirror-time" is part of Tomb Guard training when the trainee practices weapons manual and movements in front of several ceiling to floor mirrors in the quarters. ↩
  5. The "quarter till" alerts the Tomb Guards of the next Changing of the Guard and is also a time to present Tomb Guards with special knowledge "high-speed" or certain motivation for the privilege of Walking the Mat. ↩

 

FACEBOOK Posts over the years origin unknown but tons of shares!

 

ARLINGTON CEMETERY - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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.

  1. 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
  2. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
  3. 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.
  4. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
  5. 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, no folds nor any 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 {the boxer} and 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.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM Oh LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with 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.

I'd be very proud if this post reaches as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless America!

 

LINK = https://www.facebook.com/22067606728/videos/232167141414322

Allen West speaks on Memorial Day!