Hurricane does not stop sentinels at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
 

Dedication for sure. Amazing photo

http://weaselzippers.us/wp-content/u...nt-550x513.jpg

Whats up with that sign language translator at the Bloomberg conference? HAHA

Awesome

+1

Pretty cool.

Very cool.

Thanks for sharing.

Deaf people should be used as flotation devices! Herp derp.

Apparently pic wasnt taken today.

Still cool photo.

This is one military tradition that I've never really understood. I have all the respect in the world for our military force. But why make these poor guys stand motionless out there in bad weather? What point does that make? We all know these guys are dedicated and committed, and a helluva lot tougher than me. But this just seems completely unnecessary. What if a hurricane hits them out there? Should we really risk their lives just to make a point about how tough and committed they are?

Sorry, no disrespect to soldiers. I just can't understand how this is justified these days.

I think the sentiment is that these soldiers WANT to be there, no matter what. It's a very high honor to be guarding this tomb.

no one makes them do anything. they all volunteer.

You cant apply common sense to military traditions, customs and courtesies.

Its a show of respect, these guys know full well what the job entails and do so willingly.

Bravo to them.

The guys standing guard know they have friends and fellows that have it a lot worse off than they do somewhere else in the world. It's for them and those that came before them that they stand watch.

I've been to Arlington before. The tomb detail is considered elite service. You have to be the best of the best to get that assignment. Very great honor to be chosen to serve there.

Can I get some background info here? Who's the Unknown Soldier?

Are you serious? First, I can say, obviously, they are unknown. Second google unknown soldier and read all about it.

You are right Fish. You don't understand.

Picture taken September 18th.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/25447...2651&k=7L4hN9m

My bad, here you go

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...9053937&type=1

The "park" may be closed, but the watch continues.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/1...nkown-soldier/

Yup. As my post right above this one says. Very cool.

Its just the top photo was taken a month and half ago in a rain storm. Props to The Old Guard for letting everyone know right away

It just seems really odd to me that something like this would rise to the top as the most honorable and respected service in the military. Again, please excuse my ignorance, but I would think that the most elite and respected servicemen would want to do something other than standing like a statue all day guarding a cemetery. Just the thought of taking an otherwise boring, uneventful, and potentially shitty job like standing in the rain guarding dead people, and making it the most prized and respected duty, just doesn't make sense. And there's got to be a point where it's a danger to these guys, to stand out there. I mean, if a tornado rolls right through there, are these guys expected to die because of this tradition? Or would they be justified in running like hell?

:thumb:

If you ever get the chance take a visit to Arlington. The Gaurd is one part of the gravity and majesty of the place.

They are not just guarding "dead people". My god. They are watching over their brothers and sisters.

OK, so evidently they aren't ordered to stay in dangerous weather. And in fact they disobeyed orders during Hurricane Isabel, and stood post during the storm.

This is even more confusing.....

I'm not trying to be an ass here Fish, but it's one of those things you just aren't going to understand.

No offense, but this may be the worst post I've ever read.

Very much so.

Literature, Direkshun and Saulbadguy....am I right...?

Yes, I think you are right. I'm not trying to be an ass either. Please excuse my ignorance.

Dude....Somethings you're just not gonna understand....

KC Fish is a robot made by Apple.

KC Fish, just in case you didn't know- they don't stand there for hours on end. Guys rotate in and out every half hour or so. There's a little room of some kind they have under the building, too. So, one group is out there and then another comes out, so the other ones can go inside.

It's certainly symbolic rather than logical. But the symbolism is that they're keeping guard over all of those who have been killed, but never identified, in wars over our country's entire history. The Tomb is, by far, the most revered grave in the U.S. and is treated as such.

It's not completely unlike guards at Buckingham Palace in England. Those are largely symbolic as well. We just choose to symbolically guard those who gave their lives for this country rather than monarchs.

If you're never seen it it's pretty awesome when they change guards. It the one must-see thing if you're in the DC area, in my opinion.

Yeah it's pretty incredible, for sure.

It would probably help to look up the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, understand what it represents.

Now, a weatherman standing outside in a hurricane? That's stupid.

Those guys need to go be safe with their families.

We didn't send people to die in wars aboard to let people die at home due to standing in front of Hurricanes.

I'd generally agree, but you're not going to convince the guards to do it.

They guard the tomb out of respect, Mr. KC Fish. There really isn't any more to it than that and they require no other reason.

But I fear that, as time goes on, the concept of respect becomes stranger and makes less sense to more people. In fact, I would venture to say that respect is something that few people truly understand anymore.

You know, the ancient Greeks had this extremely important concept called "sophrosyne". Unfortunately, that word can no longer be translated by any single English word.

This quality, "sophrosyne" was, to the Greeks, an ideal second to none in importance. But it is no longer counted among our ideals. We have simply lost the conception of it. We can sort of describe its parts (after a fashion), but we cannot name it or properly define it. It is a human quality that, once revered, no longer exists.

I have a theory that the same thing is eventually going to happen with our Western concept of respect. At some point in the future, it will be an extinct idea to feel or hold "respect" for another human being.

FAX

I served with a guy who had that assignment....it is nothing short of incredible.

..sadly, it's already happening...going into Arrowhead yesterday....NA starts..I stop and put my hand on my heart....was about the only one ..hundreds didn't stop...it was like it meant nothing....:(

That will be a sad day indeed.

It's not the idea of respect, it's the idea that THAT is how respect manifests itself

I have an old friend that used to be a Tomb guard. He had a big part in my joining the Army when I did.
The way he describes it the attention to detail not just on their uniforms but in each and every movement they make while on guard is truly incredible.

Guarding the unknown tomb is such an amazing and honored tradition. Here is photos of The Old Guard as they watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during hurricane Irene:

http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/u...97-620x415.jpg

http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/u...08-620x409.jpg

For those that don't know, Soldiers of “The Old Guard” maintain a 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), provide military funeral escorts at Arlington National Cemetery and participate in parades at Fort Myer and Fort Lesley J. McNair.


“While on duty the Tomb Sentinel crosses a 63-foot rubber surfaced walkway in exactly 21 steps. He then faces the Tomb for 21 seconds, turns again, and pauses an additional 21 seconds before retracing his steps.

The 21 is symbolic of the highest salute according to dignitaries in military and state ceremonies.”

Awesome.

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.48982...69249&pid=15.1

Yeah, I think this is where my confusion rests.

I ride through Arlington National Cemetery at least once every 3-4 months. It is a humbling experience

:thumb:

I had the same experience....taps on the shoes, etc.

You've already voted early for Obama, right?

What do you want them to do, just put up a plaque that everyone will ignore?

ROFL

Filed under questions even I wouldn't ask.

FAX

If you've lost someone dear to you in a war, the Tomb and the Cemetery are sometimes difficult to take. Tears come from nowhere. Uncontrollable emotion. Great sadness. Unspeakable gratitude.

It's a powerful place. I'm glad its there, but I have a very hard time going there.

FAX

No. But I would expect some sort of service for these respected fellows in which the enjoyment of their work day didn't depend on the weather. One in which they wouldn't be expected to stand outside in potentially dangerous hurricane weather. I would have guessed that the most respected and revered of our servicemen would deserve better conditions than that for the recognition of their efforts and sacrifice for our country. But I don't know anything about it, which is why I asked..

Sometimes it helps looking at it another way. Were they to leave the Tomb unattended, to those men it would feel like abandonment or desertion. They know that those remains could be anyone and they represent everyone.

To leave would be to dishonor their memory.

Therefore, no leaving.

FAX

revolutionary soldiers endured extremely harsh winter weather..adverse conditions do not override the call to duty...in fact, they demand it...

....the day we fail to remember those who have given their life for something bigger than themselves, is the day we lose our soul as a Nation.

JMO

What if they just sat in their car or something? They would still be there for all technical purposes. ROFL

I'm just kidding. it's really cool what they do.

http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/-image...-07-110143.jpg
The remains of the Unknown Soldier is committed to the ground during the burial services at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA November 11 1921. (WW1 Signal Corps Collection).

I think they finally figured out who the soldier was didn't they? He's been taken out and given a proper burial if I remember right.

Nope.. you are referring to the Tomb of the Unknowns. FYI, the Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unidentified servicemen from several U.S.A. conflicts.

It was for the vietnam tomb. In the late 1990's I believe they found who it is through DNA and removed his remains

The Tomb was placed at the head of the grave of the World War I Unknown. West of this grave are the crypts of Unknowns from World War II (south) and Korea (north). Between the two lies a crypt that once contained an Unknown from Vietnam (middle). His remains were positively identified in 1998 through DNA testing as First Lieutenant Michael Blassie, United States Air Force and were removed. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.

The Tomb has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classical pilasters set into the surface with objects and inscription carved into the sides. The 1931 symbolism of the objects on the north, south and east sides changed over time.

North and South panel with 3 wreaths on each side represent (in 1931) "a world of memories" but later the six major battles engaged in by American forces in France; Ardennes, Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, Meusse-Argonne, Oisiu-Eiseu, and Somme. Each wreath has 38 leaves and 12 berries. East panel that faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and "American Manhood" but later "Valor" instead of "American Manhood"

Western panel is inscribed the words (centered on the panel):

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD

Again, I agree - it's not logical. But if you have trouble understanding the purpose of guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns, I'd imagine you'd have similar feelings toward just about every monument we have. After all, what does a giant, phallic hunk of rock have to do with George Washington for example? Monuments are strange things - they exist purely to give us something to remember.

In this case, the only difference is that it's so important for us to remember that its existence isn't enough to elevate it as high as is warranted, so we (as a country) have determined it requires the addition of a symbolic "guard" to emphasize its importance even more.

Yeah. Most monuments while honoring others, are really in the end, for us. This monument is one that really was and still is meant for others, whether they can someone know it or not.

Not a Hurricane Sandy photo. But then again, what do you expect from Dishonestchieffan?

That shit irritates the hell outta me! "Take off your damn hat and shut the hell up!"

This makes sense to me. Thanks.

This stupid post is so full of fail.

My wife and I were walking the concourse at the Royals game last year, and we heard the NA begin. Without even saying something to each other, we stopped and removed our hats and place them over our hearts and faced the flag (where we thought it would be).

Meanwhile asshats walked by, and even grumbled to us to get out of the way. Though, we did have an ol timer shake our hands afterwards. Made my day.

Dayze - USN VFA 22 / CVN 70 USS Varl Vinson: 1996-2000

I hope they have the names of those guards in case they get killed in the hurricane.

Thank you. I was on my phone and didn't feel like doing research.

I had never heard of the tomb before..

Seems odd to me that they can remain unknown. I mean, don't they have records of who's in the military? Wouldn't a higher ranking officer or member if their platoon or whatever notice they were missing and report it? Couldn't they figure out who they were just by process of elimination?

They are the ones who have not been identified, the ones blown to bits to protect the people of the United States and even protect the scumbags.

I used today to do a little extracurricular education of my students as one, who was obviously on Facebook on her phone looking at this pic, asked me about the Tomb of the Unknown. By the time we finished discussing, there were more than a few misty eyes in the room.

I truly understand the dedication of those that serve as a guard even when no one is there because of the hurricane. To do what they do regardless of whether 1000 people are watching or zero are watching is phenomenal. That is why them doing this for their brothers who have fallen but were not forgotten in previous wars is the highest of honors.

War is Hell. There is no such thing as a moral war. Remember that. Warfare should only be used when all other means have been exhausted.

I went to Europe three years ago on a WW2 tour. We went to American, brit, and German cemeteries. Its amazing the number of graves noted as an unknown soldier. Our effort reflects respect to all not just those from the US

It's awesome, just leave it at that. As for the tornado, maybe this picture answers your question without words. It's just a matter of intensity. Maybe they'd run, maybe they'd stay. Here's the question (if there really is one), what might you do?

I've known one guy who had this duty.... He thought it was like looking into the eyes of God. How's that for liking your job!

Agree or not, there are awesome men standing their watch. And it may not be on the front lines, it's where they are.... I love these guys, whomever they are! And I thank them for their service too!