OT: Fwd: Jeopardy Question no one could answer about ARLINGTON CEMETERY

[GCC Consulting]

 Can you answer these questions?

Richard

  
Jeopardy Question No One Could answer, Do You Know? 
ARLINGTON CEMETERY

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! --


This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance . 
Very fascinating. 


Tomb of the Unknown Soldier


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. 



2. 
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


3. 
Why are his gloves wet?

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



4. 
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. 


5. 
How often are the guards changed?

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


6. 
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, folds or 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}
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 O 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 email 
reached 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