US Veterans Memorial
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance. The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C.

Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words:

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

The Tomb is the final resting places of the Unknown Soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea, and the crypt of the Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War.

Tthe Tomb of the Unknowns site is guarded around the clock, every day of the year, by specially trained members of the Third United States Infantry Regiment (also known as the "Old Guard").

What does it take to be an Old Guard?
D E D I C A T I O N !

Requirements of the Tomb Sentinel: 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." That alone eliminates about 90% of the men in America.

The Sentinels who guard the Tomb must undergo rigorous training, including several hours a day of marching, rifle drill and uniform preparation. They must also be exemplary in discipline, dress, and bearing They must be thoroughly knowlegeable ofh the history of their unit, the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Army.

Upon successful completion, the soldier is awarded a temporary Tomb Guard's Badge. The Badge is one of the Army's higher honors and can be taken away from the soldier if he or she does not continue to maintain the highest military standards.

The changing of the Guard

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.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off in 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.