Memorial Day

I think it’s safe to say that, for most people, the primary significance of Memorial Day is that it represents a day off from work, and an opportunity to have a cookout or go to the beach. In fact, it seems that Memorial Day weekend is used as an excuse by every car dealer and retail store to have some sort of blowout sale. If we watch the evening news on Memorial Day, and are paying attention, we may take note of the 15 second story about the President laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and then return to what we were doing.

Unfortunately, I am ashamed to admit that I fit this description for too much of my life. When I got married and got to know my father-in-law, a veteran of WW II, it began to sink in to me how great a sacrifice so many have made. My eyes and heart were really opened when our family actually visited the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery as part of our visit to Washington D.C. in the summer of 2007. Of all the incredible monuments and sites that we visited, none made more of an impression on me than Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The land on which Arlington National Cemetery is located was once Robert E. Lee’s plantation. As the carnage of the Civil War progressed, the Union was in desperate need of a burial ground, and chose Lee’s plantation primarily as a way to spite him for joining the Confederacy. Without getting into further detail, suffice it to say that it evolved into a place of honor for national heroes to be buried.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is located at a relative high elevation on the hilly terrain of the cemetery. The setting is beautiful and peaceful; you instinctively realize that your feet are walking on sacred ground. Watching the military guard solemnly march back and forth, I began to more fully appreciate the fact that so very many people have sacrificed their lives to defend the freedom that we have the good fortune to enjoy in this country. To protect that freedom, we must always be vigilant, and the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns certainly meet that requirement.

What follows is the text and pictures from an email Angela Logan forwarded to me. You cannot truly appreciate the significance of this monument until you have visited, but I hope this gives you some appreciation for what the Tomb of the Unknowns represents.

Arlington National Cemetery

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 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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 Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII 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 D.C., 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.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.


IN GOD WE TRUST

If you have the opportunity to have a cookout with friends or go to the beach this Memorial Day weekend, enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends. But while you are doing so, remember that a lot of good people have sacrificed their very lives so that you can be free to engage in those activities. Make time to honor them; make time to thank those you know who have served our country; make time to pray for those who are serving us now - they deserve no less!

In that spirit:

Thank you William Harvey for your service!

Thank you Tom Harvey for your service!

Thank you Matt Harvey for your service!

Thank you David Bentley for your service!

Thank you Corey Bentley for your service!

Never, ever, forget.......

From a proud and grateful US citizen,

Gary Kranston (aka Chief Bald Eagle)