Vets Day

[START2]

As you all know this is Veterans Day. Take a moment to reflect on all those who have protected us our families and friends and the sacrafices they made to keep this country free. I served only 2 years from but my dad was a" Lifer" 36 years in the Marine Corps. He actually bleeds green!! Iwo Jima, Korea, 3 tours in Viet Nam. Thanks Dad to the service to our country!!

[Patrick]

Thank you . I was one of those lifers as well. It feels good to hear thanks...

[acrzybear]

Start2

Your dad wasn't Chesty was he?   jk

Have a good day

Semper Fi

USMC 1987-2003

[START2]

Bear,   No, he was known as Gunny R.   retired a Sgt. major.   I'll pass that along.  Semper Fi back at cha.

Patrick,   Thanks for your service to our country!!!!!!!

[Goombah]

I flew back from California to Missouri last night, and the cabin attendants make a public Thank You as we got ready to depart.  There was applause.

Thanks!

Kevin

[Ste]

One of the guys at school, drops his grandson off, was on the beaches on d-Day, British Army.

Doesn't talk much about it, and I don't ask. That's the way it should be.

Ste

[Aventurero]

An old Army buddy of mine just sent this to me.. it was forwarded to him from a vet.. (I spent 22yrs in the service) I hope you all will appreciate it.

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 --- EC
 
 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? 
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 {fighting} 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.

 

[Rvrwind]

Thanks for that [user=499]Aventurero[/user]. Being a Canadian I wasn't aware of all that, although I was aware of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, I wasn't aware of all the significant facts surrounding it, very enlightening.

We Canadians just celebrated Remembrance day as well, November 11th. For me it reminds me of my Grandfather & My great Uncle who died in WWI & are buried in Flanders Field very far from Canadian soil.

Also my Mothers brother, my uncle, who died at Vimy Ridge.

My Father fought in Korea & was wounded & decorated for heroism, I myself served 5 years in the Canadian Navy & another 3 years in the Naval Reserve. I was in Search & Rescue, you know, the fools that jump into freezing cold water out of a perfectly good helicopter (of course thats not all we did). I also spent 2 years teaching survival techniques at LSRU.

Yes, Thanks to all those who lost their lives fighting for our right to be free. And God Bless those who were fortunate enough to return to their families.

RVR-Canadian Cowboy/Agency Owner