Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns --- All three missed it --
This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance, Very fascinating.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is
the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time
and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,
he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be
between 5' 10' an d 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other
requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the
tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on
or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the
rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in
any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on
their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only
400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of
their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat
and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty
in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a 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. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe
E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends
five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our
US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the 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 respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin,
marching in the pelting rain of a 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. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.
God Bless and keep them.
This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance, Very fascinating.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is
the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time
and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,
he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be
between 5' 10' an d 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other
requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the
tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on
or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the
rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in
any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on
their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only
400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of
their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat
and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty
in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a 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. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe
E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends
five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our
US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the 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 respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin,
marching in the pelting rain of a 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. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.
God Bless and keep them.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
My kind of dog!
The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord.
He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq . His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant "go away but come back and find me". The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. He enjoys the company of cats.
K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner
Thought you'd find this interesting.
Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!
Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Nothing against Michael
I have nothing against Michael Jackson - in fact I enjoyed his music. I however support our military 100% and I am shocked that more people don't. To think that all the major networks carried the funeral of MJ that lasted several hours and when we lose a military person, they get a brief 30 second segment on the news. What is wrong with our networks.
JMO!
JMO!
Another email this from a soldier
Subject: Letter from a Soldier
>> I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on
>> Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an
>> entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent
>> millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many
>> people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I
>> respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my
>> rant..
>> > >
>> > > Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
>> minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
>> country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to
>> flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to
>> hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
>> > > Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden
>> he's
>> a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What
>> about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those
>> Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still
>> raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United
>> States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the
>> people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them
>> because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier
>> dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for
>> IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of
>> GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and
>> instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
>> > >
>> > > I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN
>> CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for
>> every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to
>> PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American
>> people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom
>> that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have
>> provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because
>> there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we
>> will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or
>> write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood,
>> sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
>> > >
>> > > Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to
>> pass
>> this along if you want.
>> > >
>> > > Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
>> serving in the military;
>> > >
>> > > "So that others may live..."
>>
>> I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on
>> Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an
>> entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent
>> millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many
>> people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I
>> respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my
>> rant..
>> > >
>> > > Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
>> minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
>> country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to
>> flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to
>> hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
>> > > Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden
>> he's
>> a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What
>> about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those
>> Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still
>> raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United
>> States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the
>> people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them
>> because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier
>> dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for
>> IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of
>> GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and
>> instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
>> > >
>> > > I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN
>> CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for
>> every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to
>> PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American
>> people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom
>> that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have
>> provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because
>> there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we
>> will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or
>> write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood,
>> sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
>> > >
>> > > Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to
>> pass
>> this along if you want.
>> > >
>> > > Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
>> serving in the military;
>> > >
>> > > "So that others may live..."
>>
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Just a reminder - received in an e-mail
While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how-many-days
> will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and
> quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will
> speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all
> that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others
> who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them;
> families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be
> exposed to on the tube in the coming days.
>
> Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I
> tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.
>
>
>
>
>
> These American military members died in Iraq this month:
>
> Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
> Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
> Specialist Charles D. Parrish
> Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
> Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
> Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
> Captain Kafele H. Sims
> Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling
>
> And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:
>
> Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
> Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
> Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
> 1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
> Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
> Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
> Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
> Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
> Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
> Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
> Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
> Major Barnes, Rocco M.
> Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
> Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
> Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
> Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
> Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
> Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
> Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
> Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
> Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.
>
> Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.
>
> God rest them and God comfort their loved ones they've left behind.
>
> And may God use their deaths to remind us all of the shortness of our days.
> will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and
> quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will
> speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all
> that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others
> who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them;
> families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be
> exposed to on the tube in the coming days.
>
> Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I
> tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.
>
>
>
>
>
> These American military members died in Iraq this month:
>
> Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
> Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
> Specialist Charles D. Parrish
> Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
> Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
> Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
> Captain Kafele H. Sims
> Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling
>
> And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:
>
> Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
> Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
> Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
> 1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
> Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
> Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
> Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
> Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
> Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
> Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
> Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
> Major Barnes, Rocco M.
> Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
> Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
> Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
> Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
> Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
> Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
> Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
> Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
> Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.
>
> Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.
>
> God rest them and God comfort their loved ones they've left behind.
>
> And may God use their deaths to remind us all of the shortness of our days.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy Day after the 4th
Celebration is officially over - at least the 4th - but we must remember to celebrate our military currently serving, served in the past and those who laid their life down for our freedom. Never forget those either.
Since this is based on my organizing I thought that I would share some tips with all of you.
I recently moved from an apartment into a house with a pool. What a difference all the room can make. I don't have enough furniture to fill the rooms yet. How nice is that.
Anyway - I must stress the importance of marking the boxes as you pack them. I did basic generic marking such as kitchen and how I wish I would have been more specific such as kitchen - pots and pans, etc. But what made things worse we the boxes I used had been used to move into the apartment, then my parents used them and we had markings all over them. In a case like that I would suggest using the boxes upside down and have all the new marking on the bottom which now is the top of the box! That has been a time consuming project of unpacking.
Since this is based on my organizing I thought that I would share some tips with all of you.
I recently moved from an apartment into a house with a pool. What a difference all the room can make. I don't have enough furniture to fill the rooms yet. How nice is that.
Anyway - I must stress the importance of marking the boxes as you pack them. I did basic generic marking such as kitchen and how I wish I would have been more specific such as kitchen - pots and pans, etc. But what made things worse we the boxes I used had been used to move into the apartment, then my parents used them and we had markings all over them. In a case like that I would suggest using the boxes upside down and have all the new marking on the bottom which now is the top of the box! That has been a time consuming project of unpacking.
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