May 1, 2024
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
21 Steps
By Eloise Graham
Peonies and irises in bloom. These remind me of Memorial Day. Family picnics at the old farmhouse in a rural community in Kansas. These remind me of Memorial Day. Placing flowers and flags at gravesites in various cemeteries. Yes, this reminds me of Memorial Day. Memorial Day. The day set aside for us to remember and pay homage to those that sacrificed all for our freedoms and safety. Traditional Memorial Day was May 30, now the day of remembrance is the last Monday in May.
However there are a select few that consider every day Memorial Day. They are the men and women in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment of the Army that volunteer as Tomb Guards – the guards for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Some facts of these dedicated soldiers:
- How many steps does the guard take during their walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
Twenty-one steps. It alludes to the the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. - How long do they hesitate after the about face to begin their return walk and why?
Twenty-one seconds for the same reason as answer 1. - Why do they wet their gloves?
The gloves are moistened to prevent losing their grip on the rifle. - Do they carry their rifle on the same shoulder all the time?
They carry the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After their march across the path, they execute an about-face and move the gun to the outside shoulder. - How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every 30 minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year with one additional day in leap years. - What are the physical traits and requirements for the guards?
Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be 5’10” to 6’4” tall for men or 5’8” to 6’2” for women. They must have a proportionate weight and build.
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb. They live in a barracks under the tomb. They cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty, cannot swear in public and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. The first six months of duty the 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.*
Every guard spends five hours a day getting their uniforms ready for guard duty. There are no wrinkles, lint or folds on the uniform. Guards dress in front of a full-length mirror. The shoes are specially designed with very thick soles to keep the heat and the cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the click sound as they come to a halt. After the two years of service, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on the lapel signifying that they served as a Guard of the Tomb.
In 2003, as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, the US Senate/House took two days off with the anticipation of the storm. On 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 respectively declined the offer, “No way, Sir!” Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of the tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person.
In March 1926, soldiers from nearby Fort Myer were first assigned to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards, only present during daylight hours, discouraged visitors from climbing or stepping on the Tomb. In 1937, the guards became a 24/7 presence, standing watch over and guarding the Unknown Soldier at all times.
*Among the notables that the guards must memorize are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer), Thurgood Marshall, Grace Hopper, Abner Doubleday, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lee Marvin, Audie Murphy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Glenn Miller.
