Posted on 07/26/2005 10:07:32 AM PDT by ZULU
The body of an unidentified American was exhumed from each of four American cemeteries............. on 22 October 1921. Each was examined to ensure that the person had been a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, that he had died of wounds received in combat, and that there were no clues to his identity whatsoever. After mortuary preparation, the bodies were placed in identical caskets and shipping cases. The next day they were carried by truck to Chalons-sur-Marne for the selection ceremony.
[4]
At 1500 on 23 October all four caskets arrived by truck at the city hall of Chalons-sur-Marne. Awaiting them was a large delegation of French and American officials................
Members of the American Quartermaster Corps and town officials had prepared the city hall for the selection ceremony. ..................
French troops carried the shipping cases from the trucks into the reception room of the city hall. The caskets were then removed, set on top of the cases, and draped with American flags. A French guard of honor stood watch until 2200 when six American pallbearers arrived from Headquarters, American Forces in Germany, at Coblenz. From this time on, a combined American-French guard maintained constant vigil.
Early on the morning of 24 October Major Harbold, aided by French and American soldiers, rearranged the caskets so that each rested on a shipping case other than the one in which it had arrived. .................... Major Harbold then chose Sgt. Edward F. Younger of Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 50th Infantry, American Forces in Germany, to select the unknown soldier. Originally, a commissioned officer was to do the choosing, but General Rogers changed the plans after learning that the French had designated an enlisted man to choose their unknown soldier. The choice was delegated to Major Harbold, who then appointed Sergeant Younger.
(Excerpt) Read more at army.mil ...
On our 2001 vacation, we spent a day in Washington D.C. My sons were 12 and 8 at the time. I insisted that we go to Arlington and watch the ceremony of the changing of the guard. I' glad we did. While I've seen the ceremony before, it was something special to take the boys. VERRRRY solemn, very impressive. An experience all Americans should have, and perhaps should be a prerequisite for citizenship.
I agree with you. I've been thre a few times but never saw it.
I will next time.
Like Gettysburg, its really something very special for all Americans - or should be.
You may enjoy this also.
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." Other requirements of the Guard: 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 E. Lewis {the boxer} and 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, 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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
May God Bless and keep them.
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard" and lovingly referred to by some as "The Third Herd" guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
TABLE 2—PARTICIPATING PATRIOTIC, FRATERNAL, AND WELFARE
ORGANIZATIONS, MAIN PROCESSION FOR THE UNKNOWN
SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR I
Bump. RE:#5
Very moving. Thank you for that.
I thought maybe he had been identified.
After the war was over, the boys in grey and the boys in blue met in friendship and helped heal the wounds which had torn the Union apart.
They were both products of the same soil, culture, religion, ethnic groups, and traditions.
I think the last Civil War vet was a Confederate who died sometime in the late 1950's or early 1960's I remember seeing the article in the paper and reading the story and seeing his face, peaceful in union with his God.
They were real heros, all of them and may they rest in peace.
The participants made peace.
I saw a TV show about this many years ago.
No. I think the hero they identified was from the Viet Nam War era.
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