DailySusan Humor Blog

WE REMEMBER! HAPPY VETERANS DAY

With profound thanks to all those who served our nation and the cause of freedom throughout the generations. We salute you!

If you're looking to make a Veterans Day Resolution, how about visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.? It's an incomparable stop on any tour of Washington, D.C.

Here are some facts about it from an Internet item that's making the rounds today:

The guard takes 21 steps on one leg of his patrol, an allusion to the 21-gun salute, the highest honor in our land.

The guard also hesitates after his about-face for 21 seconds.

His gloves are moistened so he can keep a tight grip on the rifle.

Guards are changed every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A guard must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" with a 30" waist or less. He must commit two years to this duty, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol, swear in public, or do any fighting for the rest of their lives, for that would disgrace the tomb.

Only 400 "alums" in the U.S. are now wearing the wreath pin signifying their duty.

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, boxer Joe E. Lewis and Medal of Honor winner and movie star Audie Murphy.

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

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching, Congress took two days off to avoid the storm, but the Tomb of the Unknowns guards declined the offer. Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain and high winds, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, but the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.