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I felt strongly to make a page to pay tribute not only to our past men and women in the services who gave their lives to give us our freedom. But to also pay tribute to all men and women in the services past and present who are still giving their lives in the need for Freedom and Peace.

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, ON THE ELEVENTH DAY, OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH.

TWO MINUTES SILENCE IS OBSERVED EVERY WHERE.

A VERSE WELL KNOWN TAKEN FROM LAURENCE BINYON

"FOR THE FALLEN"

They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

PLEASE KEEP A CANDLE ALIGHT IN PRAY

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" and 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 Louis{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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.

We can be very proud
of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless. We Will Remember Them.

I lay no claim to the photos or the poem and information on this page. You can read the full poem "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon by clicking here.

If any one reading this page would like me to do a memorial page with their loved ones name. Where he or she was killed. Their age and any information you want to give and a photo, I would be proud to do this with full dignity and compassion. Please write to me at Eunice E Powe. and I must ask you please to put in the subject line. ( MY WAR HERO. SPECIAL). This let's me know it is special mail.

If anyone is not happy with my page and own the photos please let me know and I can credit you properly. Please don't ask me to remove the photos. This was sent to me and was unknown and I am so proud to give some tribute to our wonderful men and women in the forces. Thank you. God Bless.

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