Ace of Spades HQ

May 27, 2012

The Sentinel
— Dave in Texas

Changing of the guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, below the fold. At around 2:36 you will hear rifle fire in the distance, and you'll know what that meant.

The soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment based at Ft. Myer perform this honor day and night, 24x7, 365 days a year. I've seen it many times, it is somber, but uplifting.

From wiki:

The soldier "walking the mat" does not wear rank insignia on his or her uniform so that they do not outrank the Unknowns, whatever their rank may have been. Non-commissioned officers (usually the Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commanders), do wear insignia of their rank when changing the guard only. They have a separate uniform (without rank) that is worn when they actually guard the Unknowns or are "Posted".

It doesn't matter what the weather is doing. They perform this honor in rain, snow.. hell they've stood this watch in a hurricane.

21 steps. 21 seconds.

Arlington is a beautiful, but sober place. I hope you have the opportunity to see it one day. You will not regret it.

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

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 10:47 AM | Comments (40)
Post contains 198 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I think visiting Arlington should be required of all students.
It would certainly add perspective to the indoctrination they're getting.

Posted by: Barky Obama at May 27, 2012 10:53 AM (Qxdfp)

2 Too bad Australia didn't have a guard on their eternal flame. Some crapbag put it out.
http://tinyurl.com/6p3c6mc

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 27, 2012 10:54 AM (r4wIV)

3 Argh! Socks.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at May 27, 2012 10:54 AM (Qxdfp)

4 Speaking of "mat", somebody there commented it was to be a soft surface to walk on for the soldiers - I thought it was because the granite would have a rut in it by now.

Anybody know?

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at May 27, 2012 11:00 AM (Qxdfp)

5 Can't they do a DNA test to find out who the unknowns are?

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 27, 2012 11:02 AM (TGgkp)

6 they're doing a re-make of 'Apocalypse Now' --- tentative title is 'Apocalyspe Never: Absurd Overblown Drug-Addled Directors Wet Dream of Inaccurate Stereotypes With a Few Memorable Images.

coming soon to a dank smelly theatre near you...

and yes, the Arlington Memorial; like that giant tombstone a few miles north, is sad but compelling

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 27, 2012 11:02 AM (Dll6b)

7 hey do a DNA test to find out who the unknowns are?

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 27, 2012 03:02 PM (TGgkp)

in most cases, nothing to compare it to.

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 27, 2012 11:04 AM (Dll6b)

Dr. Varno, there was actually an "unknown" from the Vietnam war, who was identified via DNA matching, 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, USAF.

I think there will be no more unknowns now.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at May 27, 2012 11:07 AM (PjVdx)

9 http://tinyurl.com/82sbstc

Posted by: Dave in Texas at May 27, 2012 11:07 AM (PjVdx)

10 I saw it once on a school trip. Its very moving.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at May 27, 2012 11:08 AM (DGIjM)

11 Simply beautiful.

Posted by: Scobface at May 27, 2012 11:16 AM (IoNBC)

12 Last time I had seen the Changing of the Guard was two or three years ago. There was a group of Scandis next to me who watched in awe. Several of them started crying.

I don't speak their any of their gutter languages, but I really would have liked to have understood their comments

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 27, 2012 11:16 AM (Yhu4q)

13 "I think there will be no more unknowns now." Yes, and that makes our unknowns all the more precious.

Posted by: Scobface at May 27, 2012 11:18 AM (IoNBC)

14 You'd think they'd stop construction during the ceremony to prevent that annoying noise

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 27, 2012 11:21 AM (Yhu4q)

15 The absolute proudest day of my life was burying my father at Arlington. To be a part, even just a tiny smidge, of those hallowed grounds humbles me.

Posted by: Mrs Compton at May 27, 2012 11:22 AM (Why44)

16 It is a beautiful place, although the Yankees stealing the land from Robert E. Lee is one of the lowest things ever done.

He was OK with it, some of us still are not.

http://tinyurl.com/c3ywm4

Posted by: Billy Bob, the guy who drinks in SC at May 27, 2012 11:22 AM (Cydud)

17 Posted by: Billy Bob, the guy who drinks in SC at May 27, 2012 03:22 PM (Cydud) This is not the time for that.

Posted by: Scobface at May 27, 2012 11:26 AM (IoNBC)

Excellent.

I've had the privelege of watching that and it was very powerful.

I was in D.C. with my buddies on one of our numerous road trips and when an uncle of mine found out that I was going, he asked me to take a rubbing of one of his buddies from the Vietnam Memorial.

Even tho I was a young punk-ass then, I understood the significance of what he asked and was proud to do it.

Posted by: ErikW at May 27, 2012 11:28 AM (XCoF0)

19 To be considered for this guard duty, your waist size cannot exceed 30".

I don't think I'll apply, because I'm getting kind of close to that limitation

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 27, 2012 11:35 AM (Yhu4q)

20 15 The absolute proudest day of my life was burying my father at Arlington. To be a part, even just a tiny smidge, of those hallowed grounds humbles me. Posted by: Mrs Compton at May 27, 2012 03:22 PM (Why44) I recently attended the funeral of a friend who's going to be buried at Arlington. I have very mixed feelings about my country. I have no mixed feelings about this. I'm unabashedly proud that my country offers this as an honor to its heroes.

Posted by: Scobface at May 27, 2012 11:39 AM (IoNBC)

21 Put attending this ceremony on your "must do" list!

Posted by: Hrothgar at May 27, 2012 11:39 AM (i3+c5)

22 1 - "I think visiting Arlington should be required of all students. " Several years ago a close friend of ours, a WWII naval vet, was buried at Arlington. We almost didn't go to the funeral because we had four kids (then aged 6 to 13 or so,) didn't have a convenient relative to dump them on, and didn't want the hassle of dragging them up there for a presumably boring ceremony. But we gritted our teeth and went. That is the one trip, one place, one event, that ALL of our kids remember very vividly, more so than any other trip to DC or elsewhere. It made a huge and lasting impression of each of them. (And yes, we stopped by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the funeral.) Yes, I wish it could be required.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 27, 2012 11:41 AM (C8mVl)

23 I have two uncles and my mom buried there. My dad, 25 years US Army, combat veteran, will be buried there when he passes.

Posted by: Yeff at May 27, 2012 11:43 AM (TIuoo)

Posted by: fozzy at May 27, 2012 11:49 AM (FEzSe)

25 Compilation video of the guards yelling at visitors for laughing or trying to cross the monument.

http://tinyurl.com/7fun47x

Honestly, what kind of idiot laughs at the Tomb of the Unknowns?

Posted by: fozzy at May 27, 2012 11:51 AM (FEzSe)

26 I've been there when the guard does a reprimand, and it sure does put a screeching halt on whatever tomfoolery is happening.

Posted by: TheLittlShiningMan at May 27, 2012 12:01 PM (PH+2B)

27 A few weeks ago I stood here for a ceremony involving the Japanese PM. My son is in the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard and just got back from the NATO summit in Chicago. Walking around Arlington National Cemetery is an amazing experience. Robert E Lee's old residence overlooks the area. Definitely something for everyone to see!

Posted by: David at May 27, 2012 12:02 PM (5ANyb)

28 American military ceremonies are spare, to the point of being almost austere. That is what makes them so powerful. Compared to the changing of the guard at Arlington, the UK's change at Buckingham has all the emotional impact of a performance of The Big Apple Circus.

Posted by: xkaydet65 at May 27, 2012 12:43 PM (nTijT)

29 I have been several times and it is a very sobering experience.

Once a child crossed the rope and the guard belted out that the parents better (in so many words) retrieve their child as he is sworn to protect the tomb with his life and any others who wish to join him.

Another time a group of grab-assin' youts were all gaggly and the guard told them all to have the proper respect for which the tomb deserves. The German tourists next to me were mortified...

God Bless, Unknown Soldier, I hope we can keep the flame alive and honor your sacrifice...

Semper Paratus

Posted by: Mudshark at May 27, 2012 01:22 PM (le6gW)

30 @25, fozzy: "Honestly, what kind of idiot laughs at the Tomb of the Unknowns?"

Those who will never understand the respect and sacrifice it takes to serve and possibly ultimately give your life.

I have seen the same at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, and the Park Rangers also do not put up with any shit.

Semper Paratus

Posted by: Mudshark at May 27, 2012 01:26 PM (le6gW)

31 Grandma went into Arlington a few weeks back to rejoin Grandpa. They'd been separated, at least physically, since 1995.

Posted by: SGT Dan at May 27, 2012 01:29 PM (BttwM)

32 SGT Dan - may you find peace and wisdom in the many memories they left you ...

Posted by: A less cynical Adriane at May 27, 2012 06:07 PM (NgwbY)

33 Would that I were worthy of those who stand ready and those who stood ready and those who gave all. Words are pitifully inadequate.

Posted by: irright at May 27, 2012 06:34 PM (RzLbD)

34 How sad must be a life without heroes.

Posted by: CMU VET at May 27, 2012 06:47 PM (NYOOZ)

35 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at May 27, 2012 07:58 PM (7W3wI)

Requiring school kids to visit Arlington is a great idea. When you can't even require them to stand and say the Pledge...just how are you going to do that?

My whole immediate family is buried there and it is a very sacred place.

Posted by: Paul Albers at May 28, 2012 01:49 AM (SP+gB)

37 "Arlington is a beautiful, but sober place. I hope you have the opportunity to see it one day. You will not regret it."

The same can be said of Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at May 28, 2012 02:07 PM (4s7w4)

38 I'm not into military stuff at all, but this ceremony made me cry my eyes out. So precise, so respectful.

It makes me love this country, despite all its faults.

Not that it matters, but I'm a gay guy who reads you daily and shares a lot of y'all's feelings.

Posted by: tom at May 28, 2012 07:32 PM (jA7Ed)

39 "30 @25, fozzy: "Honestly, what kind of idiot laughs at the Tomb of the Unknowns?"

Chris Haynes, MSNBC

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at May 28, 2012 08:46 PM (qvify)

40 "I hope you have the opportunity to see it one day. You will not regret it."

I can't say the Federal Government can't do anything right, they do Arlington. An amazing place, it'll make you speechless.

Posted by: JabbaTheTutt at May 29, 2012 06:40 PM (fLpEe)

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