Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

**Gina** · 07-02-2012, 07:45 PM

75 years ago today, on July 2, 1937, a 24 hour guard was mounted for the first time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. Since April 6, 1948 the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) has guarded the Tomb 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

God Bless Our Troops!

**Hubie** · 07-03-2012, 05:17 PM

And don't you piss them off by being disrespectful at the site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mzTsCN7mNs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYCPbP_a46I

But yeah, these guys are awesome in their dedication.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqZ-mkdp1H0

**Gina** · 07-06-2012, 01:07 PM

On July 5, Spc. Edward Marshall, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), walked his last walk as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Marshall is one of only 602 Soldiers to have earned the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge. An Army Guard has guarded the Tomb 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the last 75 years.

**noonwitch** · 07-11-2012, 12:59 PM

I remember going to Arlington on a family trip to DC when I was about 12. We went to JFK's grave, first, and my dad prepared us for how to properly behave at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When we were there, though, the guard pointed his gun at a toddler who had gotten too close and he barked at the parents to keep their child away. Scared the crap out of us-my parents couldn't believe that any parents would take such a small child to a place in which quiet respect was expected.

**Retread** · 07-11-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by noonwitch

.......................Scared the crap out of us-my parents couldn't believe that any parents would take such a small child to a place in which quiet respect was expected.

They do it all the time and don't think twice - there is so little respect left for anything.

Hopefully it scared those parents into a better behavior pattern but I figure they filed a complaint.

**Bailey** · 07-11-2012, 02:01 PM

I read somewhere that they were ordered to leave the tomb due to a bad storm, well they said hell no and guarded the tomb in hurricane force winds and rain.

**noonwitch** · 07-11-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Retread

They do it all the time and don't think twice - there is so little respect left for anything.

Hopefully it scared those parents into a better behavior pattern but I figure they filed a complaint.

My parents waited to take us to DC until we were old enough to understand some history. Why take toddlers to Arlington, the Capitol, Mt. Vernon and all those types of places? They'd much rather meet the mouse in Orlando.

**txradioguy** · 07-11-2012, 04:05 PM

4 years there and never got tired of watching the Tomb Guards at work.

I am sad to say that the Staff Sergeant in Hubie's third video is no longer with us.

SSG Adam Dickmyer died in Afghanistan 17 October 2011 when he stepped on a landline.

He was buried in Section 60, with full honors by many of the same soldiers he'd served with at TOG.

And I'm proud to say he was a friend of mine as well.

**txradioguy** · 07-11-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bailey

I read somewhere that they were ordered to leave the tomb due to a bad storm, well they said hell no and guarded the tomb in hurricane force winds and rain.

The only person authorized to tell them to leave their guard duty is the President.

The storm you're referencing is the hurricane that passed through there in 2003.

And they refused to leave. Same thing with that tropical storm that brushed the east coast in 2006 and the Blizzard of 2009.

They guard that tomb like they've got family in there.