Isabel Hits, but Guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns Stand TALL
 

This is the kind of stuff that makes me proud :D

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Guards at Tomb of the Unknowns Stand Tall
SHARON THEIMER
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Va. - As the winds from Hurricane Isabel swept over Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns were given - for the first time in history - permission to abandon their posts and seek shelter.

"They told us that. But that's not what's going to happen," said Sgt. Christopher Holmes, standing vigil on overnight duty. "That's never an option for us. It went in one ear and right out the other."

The monument was established in 1921 with the interment of an unknown World War I soldier. A sentry has been posted there continuously since 1930.

With the fierce storm bearing down Thursday night, cemetery officials decided to let the guards move indoors if they felt they were in danger. Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler said he believed it was the first time they have been allowed to do so.

"We certainly didn't want to put these guards in jeopardy unnecessarily," Metzler said.

The tomb is protected by soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. Usually about a half-dozen are there, taking turns standing guard, and security cameras also are used.

Holmes' group was on duty for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. They took turns patrolling the tomb in hourly shifts.

The tomb consists of four graves. Three contain remains of soldiers who died in World War I, World War II and Korea. The fourth, representing unknown soldiers who died in Vietnam, now stands empty; the remains it used to hold were identified about five years ago using DNA technology.

Staff Sgt. Alfred Lanier, also on duty Thursday night, said guards might move inside if the storm became truly life-threatening. But he didn't think it was likely.

"Once you become a badgeholder, it's like you'll do whatever you have to do to guard the unknowns," Lanier said. "For one, it's my job. And for two, that's just how much respect I myself have for the unknowns. That's just something we cherish."

The sentries were not entirely unprotected in the storm; they wore rain gear and could warm up with coffee or hot chocolate when not standing guard.

Holmes said he was willing to risk his life keeping watch over the tomb.

"It's just considered to be the greatest honor to go out there and guard," Holmes said. "It's not only the unknowns. It's a symbol that represents everyone who's fought and died for our country."

The cemetery is the resting place of more than 260,000 people. Twenty-one funerals were held there Thursday, and 16 were scheduled Friday.

Another famous symbol at the cemetery, the eternal flame over President John F. Kennedy's grave, was left on its own through the storm. The natural gas-powered flame can sputter out in heavy wind or rain, but is designed to immediately reignite itself.

ditto, Lebell.

Wow, that's one of the coolest, most inspirational articles I've read in a long time.

now that makes me want to stand up and salute the flag!

Me too. Great article.

That is absolutely beautiful, almost difficult to believe, unfortunately. My hat goes off to them.

I did AIT back in 1991 at Ft. Belvoir. They took us on a tour of DC. We stopped by Arlington. Man, it was great seeing the Tomb. They have some very thick dress shoes, like twice as thick as my issues. Was cool seeing the changing of the Gaurd. Made me proud seeing all the Army soldiers in their dress blues.

Great find Lebell.

Right on! I've visited the Tomb of the Unknown Solider twice and always appreciated what it represented. I'm glad to see that the guards know it too. :)

It's good to know that our soldiers still know what honor and integrity mean.

That's quite bad ass. That shows quite a bit of respect. Not to mention an incredible amount of class.

<i>"It's just considered to be the greatest honor to go out there and guard," Holmes said. "It's not only the unknowns. It's a symbol that represents everyone who's fought and died for our country."</i>

And, of course - no one could say it better than they could.

Now thats true dedication....

I'm glad those soldiers are serious about their duty. Meanwhile our entire Congress, Senate, and Executive team packed up and left town. Wimps, all.

Those men know the value of respect, and they are [cadence]deeeeeediiicaaateeed[/cadence].

Very nice to see. I am proud of them and all our armed forces!

I read this today and felt a surge or patriotism I haven't felt since 9/11. Good for them.

Damn Straight!

I'd be proud to shake the hand of any of those guards.

definently... thats just a very honorable... i hope one day i can do something that can be as strong and honorable as that...

It's this kind of thing that makes me proud of this country I call home.

Yes, that's very inspirational

Men and Women of the Military, I salute you.

mimi felt this was an important enough story to tell me about.
thanks.

Very cool. :) I once got to be a part of the changing of the gaurd there, and place a wreath on one of the graves. Jus being around those guys for ten minutes made it evident how serious and dedicated they were to their duty. Good to see its sincere. :)

got to love the soldiers of our military. Not even a hurricane will force them to leave their post.

If only everyone in the country had what these guys have. Wow.

rawk on guys, this kinda stuff is what america is all about!

Very awsome article :) Makes me want to visit just to shake their hands and say "Thank you."

that was a great read.. thanks for posting that. the ANC is a truly fascinating place to visit.. living in the area kinda allows one to take it for granted.

glad i read that :) thanks for sharing

I feel a great pride that we have men like that defending our country- god knows that soldiers (everywhere) need a pay raise- say- how about we take it from congress's pay?

Very very good read. Thank you for posting. My hat is officially off to them. :)

Riding Out The Storm...
 

My uncle found this in his local paper and e-mailed it to me...

ARLINGTON, Va. - For the first time, soldiers at Arlington National
Cemetery were given permission to leave their post at the Tomb of the Unknowns if Hurricane Isabel became too dangerous.

None left.

"We made the decision we were going to stand where we were," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Fredrick Geary, 37.

Around the clock each day for about two hours at a time, seven soldiers take turns guarding the tomb where the first unknown soldier was buried in 1921. But Thursday night, during the height of the storm, Sergeant of the Guard Geary took it upon himself to march for 5 1/2 hours in front of the tomb against heavy rain and 60-mph wind gusts.

The wind was so strong that it felled at least 24 trees on cemetery grounds, most more than 20 years old. Three headstones were crushed. Crews began working at 4 a.m. Friday to clean up the 612 acres scattered with downed trees and limbs. The tombstones could be replaced within two weeks,
officials said.

I, for one, salute them. Nice to know that this kind of dedication still exists.

I agree.

Those soldiers deserve a medal in my opinion!

Dedication is one thing ... however ...

<better not say it - I'll be flamed to death>

not so much dedication as honor, imo.

How does honor relate in this case?

Perhaps you and I share differing opinions of what honor means.

I find this facinating! I give them credit for "standing up" for what they believe in and standing by their fellow soldiers no matter what comes of it! That is a risk I don't know that I could take, but it sure makes me proud to know that we have men and women out there everyday who do this so the rest of us don't have to...that's in that cemetary and anywhere else in the world where *I* for one might want to run and hide.

I salute you all!

Honor is what kept them there. A man of honor does not desert his post. Many soldiers of all countries have died at their posts because their own sense of duty and honor demanded it. It is a great honor to be chosen as a guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. For many, to desert this post would be both dishonorable and unthinkable.