Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington

PALADIN85020

PALADIN85020

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I personally witnessed this ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. many years ago. In this video, you will see a personal inspection of the soldier assuming guard duties, including his rifle, his uniform, and his deportment. All must be perfect before he can step forward to guard the Tomb. The guard detail has been on duty 24/7 since the first unknown was buried here following WWI. The guards walk exactly 21 steps (like the 21-gun salute) each way. The rifle is always on the opposite shoulder from the Tomb. Even in rain, sleet, high winds, or snow, the guards have never failed to "walk the walk" since the beginning. This is how our active duty soldiers honor their unknown fallen forebears in fullest measure.

YouTube - Changing of the Guard - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

With respect to all those who gave their lives - even if their names are not known:

UNKNOWN.jpg
 
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Extremely impressive, thanks for post. DC is a place that everybody should attempt to visit in their lives.
 
My son once asked "All that to guard a corpse"?

Until he saw it in person, I don't think he had a clue...
 
Seeing that ceremony in person, and perhaps a visit to the National Cathedral, are the only things I can think of that make me want to visit D.C. again. Very interesting and thanks for sharing it.
 
I always made it a point to take visiting family & friends to see this hallowed ground and those who have the honor of protecting it while I was stationed at Andrews AFB. Very impressive, and a fitting tribute to all who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. My grandfather was a member of "The Old Guard".
 
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Excellent post.

I've witnessed it several times. I don't know how they teach those guys not to sweat.

I was there in 1970 with my unit, and I went through four sets of dress whites on Memorial Day. Those guys were wearing wool dress blues.
 
And these soldiers are volunteers.
Sometimes we come across forgotten-graves of veterans. Such as the Corporal A. Colley, 38th US Volunteers who died fighting in the Phillipines in 1902. We take care of these graves-planting flags and such. All of us can play some small role in honoring those who have manned the shield wall before us.
 
This will upset some people I know. None the less, I don't like the film. People standing close to the tomb, a tour guide explaining things? over a loud speaker?

All this crap turns what should be a solum military ceramony into a F------g tourist sideshow.

I think it's tacky, disrespectful and I don't like it.
 
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With respect to Therevjay, whom I honor his opinion, I found the film useful. I have never been to Washington, and probably never will. I have read about these men, and am glad I got to see them. I can appreciate their honor and sacrifice. It does my heart good to see men of this caliber, and makes me proud.


!
 
When I lived in the area, I visited and took house guests there many times. It never failed to give me chills.

I'll never forget the day we were there and a large group of noise teenagers was sitting up front by the rope. The guard turned and walked toward them and in a booming voice said "NO GUM CHEWING!" This kid almost choked on the gum as he tried to swallow it.
 
red14 said:
...It does my heart good to see men of this caliber, and makes me proud.
Click to expand...

Also with due respect to Therevjay, I think Red14 understands the big picture. The steps one has to take to handle a crowd are often disagreeable, but in this case the good outweighs the not-so-good, IMHO.

Incidentally, these guards are not just all for show, standing around in a ceremonial daze. There is a youtube video of a guard reacting to a man trying to cross the rope and get into the area of the ceremony proper. The guard's reaction was immediate, and the manner in which he carried out his duty shows that these men, in addition to being inspiring, are also there for a very real purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-dBwdeJSGo&NR=1
 
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the men who do that guarding are also held to very high standards
not only their uniform and weapon, but i am pretty sure that they
cant even touch a drop of alcohol at all while they do that assignment

i remember seeing a show on tv about it and dont remember much
but i do remember being in awe at the dedication and commitment
that they have

i was there when i was a kid with the scouts....it was unforgettable
 
yourang? said:
the men who do that guarding are also held to very high standards
not only their uniform and weapon, but i am pretty sure that they
cant even touch a drop of alcohol at all while they do that assignment

i remember seeing a show on tv about it and dont remember much
but i do remember being in awe at the dedication and commitment
that they have

i was there when i was a kid with the scouts....it was unforgettable
Click to expand...

I read somewhere that the men who guard the Tomb are on their honor to NEVER drink or do anything that would bring dishonor on them or the Tomb - for life. A tall order to live up to, but shows the sacrifices which the honor of guarding the Tomb demands.
 
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