OPERATION-INFINITEJUSTICE.ORG |
Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God.
So reads the inscription etched into the white granite tomb that marks the resting place of America's official unknown soldiers. The Tomb of the Unknowns remains one of the United States' most revered sites, a permanent reminder of this country's commitment to honor those who died fighting for its freedom. Last week, that commitment was upheld in a way some people might not have even noticed or even thought about.
When practically every government employee in Washington was beating a hasty retreat to avoid the aftereffects of Hurricane Isabel, a small group of men decided their commitment to duty, honor and country was more important than personal safety or comfort.
Tomb Guard Sentinels, the elite soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry regiment chosen to act as guards at the Tomb, opted to sustain their constant vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns rather than flee the oncoming bad weather. To them it was a matter of honoring their personal and professional obligations to the men and women who served before them and who serve now - and obviously do not have the luxury of serving their country only when skies are blue and the sun shines down upon them.
Although the Tomb of the Unknowns is watched over by Tomb Guards 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of weather conditions, to have soldiers so duty-bound as to ignore their own personal well-being is an example of real patriotism and a real reminder of the sacrifices made to secure the principles of liberty.
Another version, written I believe in a newspaper, written with a little more personal insight and perspective:
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.
