by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian J. Schimian
Continued From Part One...

I
carried these qualities like a charge from God Himself every day.
There is something about the selfless dedication shown to those who have
fallen. And no other group does a better job at that than the Old
Guard, the Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The
3rd. Infantry Division, the oldest active duty regiment in the Army
(being first organized as the Fist American Regiment in 1784), assumed
this post in 1948 and have stood guard since then. 21 steps South, turn
and face East towards the Tomb for 21 seconds, turn North and pause for
21 seconds, 21 steps back North down the 63 foot long rubber covered
walkway, turn and face East towards the Tomb for 21 seconds, turn South
and pause for 21 seconds and repeat. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
These guards have not missed a step regardless of the weather. They
have preformed their duty in the sweltering sun, hurricanes and subzero
blizzards without faltering. They remained on Post even through the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001. Becoming a Sentinel at the Tomb of the
Unknown is long considered to be one of the highest honors. Less than
20% of all who volunteer make it to the training and a small fraction of
those pass to become a Sentinel.
The
Changing of the Guard is a symbolic and regimented process that has
remained unchanged. In the summer moths (April thru September) the
Guard is changed every half hour. During winter (October thru March)
the change happens every hour. During the hours that the National
Cemetery is closed, the Guard is changed every two hours. The Guards
work in teams, 24 hours on & 24 hours, off for 5 days and then have 4
days off. It takes the Sentinels an average of six hours to prepare their
heavy wool uniforms for the next days work. Those that are bestowed
the honor of becoming a Sentinel are required to memorize a sixteen pages of
information on Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown,
as well as the names and locations of nearly 300 graves.
Soldiers
wishing to serve in this capacity must sign a two year commitment, be in
excellent physical condition, be between 5’ 10” & 6’ 4” and have a
completely spotless record. Even once leaving active duty from the
military, the honor of wearing the Tomb Guard Identification Badge my be
revoked should their actions be deemed unbecoming of a Sentinel or
disrespectful of the Tomb.
To be continued...
~BJS
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