Guarding the unknowns

Elite athletes train long and hard, often sacrificing the good life just to excel. Soldiering, likewise involves the same sacrifices that elite athletes undergo, plus more. They reach a certain point in their careers where they aim to be part of a select few who, depending on how you view the situation, are given privilege for a certain position.

Most of us are aware of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As the name implies, it is where all those nameless brave men and women who gave up their lives for flag and country, are ceremonially interred and commemorated.

Soldiers given the responsibility of guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns have to go through a rigorous set of qualifications. With maybe a few adjustments that will apply to our country’s standards, I suppose our Armed Forces have similar requisites for those applying for guard duty with that of the American military.

For a person to apply for guard duty, the US military requires him to be between 5’10" to 6’2" and his waist size cannot exceed 30". They must commit two years 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, and should and will not disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

After two years of duty, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. Presently, there are only 400 worn. The guards 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 lints on their uniforms and they dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Everyday, guards spend five hours getting their uniforms ready for guard duty.

In 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 and they must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are Pres. Howard Taft, Joe Lewis, the boxer and Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II.

Guards take 21 steps on his walk across the tomb. It refers to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary. He hesitates for 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk. Gloves are moistened to prevent losing grip on the rifle. 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.

In 2003, as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, the US Senate and the House took two days off in anticipation of the storm. Because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned with the duty of guarding the tomb were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer. Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding this 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.

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Yesterday’s item on The Ear reminded me of my late Mom’s anecdote. She was also a teacher and during her early years, she was assigned at Toboso, Negros. Two school kids were fighting and were pacified by their teacher who asked them what the trouble was all about. The first kid said, “Ma’m gilabay ko niya sa ‘erase the board’.” The other kid replied, “Ang-ang, gihapak man ko niya sa ‘sweep the floor’.” The angry teacher butted in, “Paghilom mo diha! Bitayon ta mo ron sa ‘flag ceremony’”. Ouch!.

Hey, Titus Noval, thanks for the kind words. It was a compliment. Continue patronizing The Freeman, bro.. email at [email protected]