“I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.”
Soldiers continue guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier despite historic blizzard conditions.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C.
According to ABC News, “Since April 6, 1948, Tomb Sentinels from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment’s ‘The Old Guard’ have guarded the Tomb for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of the weather.”
“These guys will be out in the snow, no matter what,” said Major Russell Fox, a spokesman for the Army’s Old Guard. “They love what they’re doing and they’re dedicated.”
The soldier guarding the tomb (or “walking the mat”) does not wear rank insignia, so as not to outrank the Unknowns, whatever their ranks may have been. Non-commissioned officers do wear insignia of their rank when changing the guard only. They have a separate uniform (without rank) that is worn when they actually guard the Unknowns.
The duties of the sentinels are not purely ceremonial. The sentinels will confront people who cross the barriers at the tomb or who are disrespectful or loud as you can see in this clip from 2014.
There is a meticulous routine that the guard follows when watching over the graves.
The Tomb Guard:
- Marches 21 steps south down the black mat laid across the Tomb.
- Turns and faces east, toward the Tomb, for 21 seconds.
- Turns and faces north, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.
- Marches 21 steps down the mat.
- Turns and faces east for 21 seconds.
- Turns and faces south, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.
- Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard.
After each turn, the Guard executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the Guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.
Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the 21-gun salute.
As Yahoo News reports, “During historic storms like Winter Storm Jonas and Hurricane Sandy, the guards can stand inside a nearby “box” made of green cloth for 2-hour intervals with their rifles by their side.”
You can see 6 photos posted to Facebook by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment’s “Old Guard.”
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