Ace of Spades HQ

May 28, 2012

Tomb Of the Unknowns, Part 2
— andy

If you missed it, Dave had a good post on the Tomb of the Unknowns and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment yesterday.

Like Dave, I've seen the changing of the guards ceremony several times, and it's one of those things that you really can't describe and do it justice. If you get the chance, go and see it for yourself. I caught this FNS piece when it originally aired and go back and watch it every Memorial Day. It's well worth your time.

Posted by: andy at 05:28 AM | Comments (36)
Post contains 95 words, total size 1 kb.

1 About 4 years ago, on a crisp autumn day I was able to walk through with almost no one there, as I had arrived just as the gates had opened. I watched the changing of the guards at the tomb and it has to be one of the most moving experiences of my life. PBS did a special on the Tomb about 10 years or so ago, where they highlighted the lives of 5 men who were listed as MIA during WW2, as well as how the soldier's body was selected for internment. Will try and google it for a link.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 28, 2012 05:36 AM (MCDCp)

2 I recall hearing that due to DNA there will never be anyone else added to the tomb.

Posted by: Paladin at May 28, 2012 05:38 AM (DIsMj)

3 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable tyrant.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channeling Breitbart at May 28, 2012 05:38 AM (nUH8H)

4 I really, really need to go to DC.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channeling Breitbart at May 28, 2012 05:39 AM (nUH8H)

5 I get all teary-eyed watching that. Too bad it has Wallace.

Posted by: Vic at May 28, 2012 05:39 AM (YdQQY)

6 Good morning.

Never forget.

Posted by: mama winger at May 28, 2012 05:42 AM (P6QsQ)

7 AMessNBC is in complete damage control mode this morning.

At the end of an obviously, hurriedly-prepared segment honoring the fallen on Memorial Day, the musical track was "Heroes" by David Bowie

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 28, 2012 05:44 AM (Yhu4q)

I really, really need to go to DC.

------

I'll go back when they boot SCoaMF.

Posted by: Jimmah at May 28, 2012 05:44 AM (cWkOB)

9
So the SCOAMF hasn't made a surprise appearance at The Tomb or in Afghanistan yet?

Posted by: Ed Anger - Certified Kos Kid at May 28, 2012 05:44 AM (7+pP9)

10 Went back east to visit dad when I was 14. Did the east coast thing including Arlington. Changing of the guard ceremony was pretty moving who grew up watching the WWII movies they used to show on network TV in the mid-60's. Also got to actually touch the Liberty Bell on that trip. Will. Never. Forget. That. When I asked if I could the lady tour guide said it was against the rules. She just couldn't resist my baby blues I guess.

Posted by: teej at May 28, 2012 05:47 AM (sbimF)

11 When I think sacrifices of all of the warriors of this nation, words fail.

Posted by: Mark formerly in Spokane,now in Sandy Ut at May 28, 2012 05:48 AM (xGX1p)

12 I recall standing inside the Jefferson Memorial reading the inscriptions up near the ceiling and wondering when the Supreme Court would rule that they must be chisled off.

Posted by: Jimmah at May 28, 2012 05:49 AM (cWkOB)

13 Pretty moving for a kid who... Sorry.

Posted by: teej at May 28, 2012 05:49 AM (sbimF)

14 So the SCOAMF hasn't made a surprise appearance at The Tomb or in Afghanistan yet?

Posted by: Ed Anger - Certified Kos Kid at May 28, 2012 09:44 AM (7+pP9)

Those rounds of golf aren't going to play themselves.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at May 28, 2012 05:49 AM (cgH7Q)

15 @ 8

I'm tempted to go see Mitt's inaugural in person. As as moron said recently, as much to cheer SCOAMF's leaving as to witness Mitt's swearing in.

Posted by: Retread at May 28, 2012 05:50 AM (joSBv)

16 @12 - Marbury vs Madison; The beginning of the end? Or am I just ignorant?

Posted by: teej at May 28, 2012 05:52 AM (sbimF)

17 Andy's right -- it really is indescribable. First visit for me was the 6th grade class trip to D.C. It's the only part of the trip I can really remember in great detail.

Good bless them all.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at May 28, 2012 05:52 AM (jfxIu)

18 New open thread up

Posted by: Vic at May 28, 2012 05:53 AM (YdQQY)

19 Open thread up now

Posted by: Jimmah at May 28, 2012 05:53 AM (cWkOB)

20 What Vic said. :-)

Posted by: Jimmah at May 28, 2012 05:53 AM (cWkOB)

I also have seen the changing. What always struck me was the silence of the spectators. Just the sounds of the Guards.

Very moving...

Posted by: HH at May 28, 2012 05:54 AM (v+ExF)

22 retread i plan on going...i went for gwb's first term

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 28, 2012 05:55 AM (Ho2rs)

23 I'll go back when they boot SCoaMF.

Posted by: Jimmah at May 28, 2012 09:44 AM (cWkOB)

I completely understand. Whenever I'm in the DC area I get to the Mall to see the various memorials, visit Arlington, and see the White House.

I realized that I get a sense of agitation now when I'm near the WH. That'll stop come November when the incompetent, arrogant POS gets thrown out

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 28, 2012 05:55 AM (Yhu4q)

24 The younger brother of our pastor, a young Marine named Ricky Nelson, was killed at the age of 23 in the Battle of Fallujah when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by explosives. He was one week shy of his first wedding anniversary to his high school sweetheart.

http://bit.ly/d91KIJ

Two other Marines were riding in the vehicle with him at the time of the attack, one was also killed, the other survived. The survivor told Rick's family that just prior to the explosion, Rick was singing "Amazing Grace", and had just gotten to the verse that says:

"When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun."

We like to think that Ricky finished that last verse at the foot of the throne of God.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had been doing a continuing ongoing feature on Rick's deployment from the viewpoint of his young wife since the start of his deployment. They were left to cover the sad account of his death as well as his funeral. People in our town lined up for approximately 4 miles for his entourage.

Ricky's story was also featured in the movie narrated by Fred Thompson, "Perfect Valor".

http://perfectvalor.com/

Posted by: mama winger at May 28, 2012 05:58 AM (P6QsQ)

If you ask me, there is no place more holy than Arlington. All the religious holy places in the world cannot match the sanctity of ground where those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country are laid to rest. It is a remarkably powerful place.

I have also had the honor to watch the Changing of the Guard several times, including the complete ceremony where the Sergeant of the Guard comes out with the relief and "inspects" him before allowing him to take his place. I say "inspects" because I guarantee he has already been made perfect or he wouldn't be there!

Posted by: SSG Christopher Whitaker at May 28, 2012 06:27 AM (9gJr4)

If you ask me, there is no place more holy than Arlington. - SSG Christopher Whitaker

THIS +infinity. I know a Sgt. Chris Whitaker. He's a Master Sergeant and just left Gardez in Afghanistan. I assume you are not the same guy.

Posted by: hobbes at May 28, 2012 06:35 AM (+CcmI)

27 When I got my merit promo to corporal I had to write and deliver a "class" and mine was about the unknowns.

The symbolism in the delivery is all throughout the ceremony. 21 steps, pause 21 seconds, about, 21 steps. 21 is all throughout the ritual of guarding the unknonwns for the salutes that those men deserve at all times.

Posted by: Douglas at May 28, 2012 07:22 AM (YKOnu)

28 I CHOSE to write about the unknowns that is, I wasn't given a subject, I picked it.

Posted by: Douglas at May 28, 2012 07:23 AM (YKOnu)

29 Thanks to the living citizen soldiers. Hope to see you home safe and sound.

Cheers.

Posted by: 13times at May 28, 2012 07:33 AM (h6XiD)

30 That ceremony deserves the utmost quiet as a sign of respect.

I nearly blew a gasket when someone's cell phone went off during the the 21 steps 3 years ago. Afterward, I followed that person and asked them to apologize for the stupid, and totally inconsiderate act. I don't understand what goes through people's minds that they cannot show respect.

Posted by: defendUSA at May 28, 2012 07:39 AM (nAAtF)

31 Sometimes, badass isn't defined by dunking a basketball or running a football or punching somebody out, or even an incredible feat in combat.

These guys? Badass.

Posted by: Moose4 at May 28, 2012 08:11 AM (j0mM+)

32 #26, A-EFFING-MEN.

When I lived on the east coast for a brief time, I avoided DC at all costs. I used traffic as an excuse, but the truth is that seeing the monuments, Arlington being the greatest of them would turn me into a quivering crying little girl.

Posted by: Douglas at May 28, 2012 08:55 AM (YKOnu)

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

Posted by: steevy at May 28, 2012 11:09 AM (7W3wI)

34 I pray God they carry live ammo, and they have a Predator aloft with live Hellfires. I pray God their armed drone is controlled by a crew immune from The Flame and other such logic bombs. I pray God they have seen that He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. I pray God that if the electro-mechanico-logico systems fail (and probability indicates they may fail at longest odds), they are supreme in wielding the OKC-3S (or similar). Matter of fact, I'd really like to see these effin' biatches, enemies of Freedom purchased by the blood of those far, far more valuable to posterity than mere anarchy, cut, eviscerated, flippin' Mayan sacrificed ("eat you own beatin' heart, biatch") cut at the very least, impaled as a modest compromise, and crucified, at best (then burned up to destroy the forensic trail, just like Madelyn Dunham), and destroyed, utterly destroyed, so they resemble Hell seen from above. And watched over by an infallible indicator that showed when any, however unlikely, of their number demonstrated the tiniest sign of irreverence to the glorious fallen dead, who purchased our inalienable rights at the VERY HIGHEST COST, the lives of FREE MEN, I pray God they should prevail over the whisperers of "McCarthy", the "Gay Rights", the "all men are created equal but de gummint haf 2 make sher", who would infiltrate, God forbid, their Sacred rank. God forbid God should lose.

Posted by: Thorvald at May 28, 2012 09:21 PM (OhenJ)

35 Six years ago my wife and I spent our first week of marriage in DC. We saw the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We saw the White House and the US Capitol. All these things made our trip worth it. But, when you step into Arlington National Cemetery, immediately the air around you changes. Things take on a quiet solitude that doesn't exist anywhere else that I've ever been. You can FEEL the reverence and respect given to each and every soldier buried in those most hallowed grounds. And, then you come to the Tomb. And we watched the changing of the guard. We still talk about the walk from the WWII Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial (my god, that's a long walk!). We still talk about seeing the Constitution, or the other fun things we did that week. But nothing, NOTHING comes close to our experience watching the guards change, or just the feeling of pride in our nation the way that Arlington did.

Posted by: DarthKeller at May 29, 2012 07:52 AM (yD55e)

36 Just left the Tomb of the Unknowns. After the Sentinel made his turn at the right and had started back, he stepped toward the Tomb and yelled at some dumb fuck down below "Sir! Remain behind the chains and barriers at all times!!" Then he took several more steps forward and repeated the warning, as people scrambled to capture the whole thing on video. Awesome display, but what kind of idiot would pull that shit there?? Great day yesterday. Grand Marshall Gary Sinise. Honorary Grand Marshall General Chuck Yeager, flyover while we were at the WWII Memorial... Emotional day.

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at May 29, 2012 12:43 PM (gvWL9)

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