• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Tomb of Unknown Soldier - Guards remain despite hurricane

F

FM2n

Senior member
Whoa (Keanu Reeves), so I was just listening to the news and despite Sandy hurricane coming, these guys aren't going anywhere. How would you like to be one of those guards in rotation? 🙂

-edit- found the article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57542139/despite-sandy-soldiers-guard-tomb-of-unknown-soldier/

Do you think it's wrong to put these guys in danger in order to keep tradition? I'm sure these dead fellow-comrades would want tradition to be broken to save a life. Or would you consider it, abandoning your post? cowardly?

"Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather. Millions of Americans annually visit the Memorial Amphitheater to watch these dedicated soldiers of a new generation, dutifully pace 21 steps across a black mat on the west face of the Tomb. It is a time honored ritual, executed with great precision and filled with American pride."
 
Last edited:
yeah, saw it on facebook earlier... pretty neat stuff... heart warming...

Its a matter of tradition, I wouldn't mind either way. I definitely do not think that it's stupid.
 
They choose to remain, no one is making them.

It's hard for non-service members and even non-combat veteran service members to understand. I'm not sure I understand it. I am glad we have men like these.
 
It's a significant honor to be chosen to guard the Tomb. Frankly, I'd have been dumbfounded to find any interruption in the Guard.
 
Vic Vega said:
They choose to remain, no one is making them.

It's hard for non-service members and even non-combat veteran service members to understand. I'm not sure I understand it. I am glad we have men like these.
Click to expand...

You don't understand duty? Responsibility? That's what they're fulfilling.
 
From the OP's article:

According to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, soldiers aren't necessarily guarding the tomb in the open air after the cemetery closes for extreme weather, which it has done due to Sandy. Instead, they wear camouflage and keep guard from a protected area.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
Seven posts and not a single person realizes this photo was taken in September, and not during Sandy?

Edit: Oops I made a big mistake here guys. I thought for sure the link in the OP was to the picture that DesiPower posted which is in fact the one that has been propagating through social media and is NOT from Hurricane Sandy. I just clicked on the link in the OP and yes, that one is legit and taken recently.
 
Last edited:
sygyzy said:
Seven posts and not a single person realizes this photo was taken in September, and not during Sandy?
Click to expand...

here's a more recent one

ca8bx.jpg
 
OutHouse said:
as six pointed out they are not in the weather but in a guard shack.
Click to expand...

Okay that's reasonable.

It's one thing to want to guard the tomb out of respect and duty, it's another to be unreasonably stupid.

A reasonable compromise is to guard it from a nearby shelter.
 
Good for them. It isn't the first time soldiers have had to hold outdoor posts during a hurricane. My grandfather told stories about when his base got hit by such a storm before they could get the planes in the hangar. The men were ordered outside to tie and hold them down until the weather subsided. Keep in mind that this was WWII era, so the forecasts weren't exactly accurate like they are nowadays.
 
They're soldiers. It's what men do. I am sure that's an alien concept to metrosexual, computer nerds.
 
Listen these men are in the prime of their lives in top physical condition. They'll be perfectly fine standing outside in a hurricane, its an honor to serve that location (hence the term Honor Guard). I believe I remeber something from a blizzard when I was a kid that they basically did not need to shovel the area when the heavy snow hit they kept it down by pacing. Interesting stuff, nobody here would stay.
 
It was very impressive when I was in Washington DC to see the tomb and the guards. They are very devoted to their duty and honoring those who have fallen for this country and remain nameless.
 
Fanatical Meat said:
Listen these men are in the prime of their lives in top physical condition. They'll be perfectly fine standing outside in a hurricane, its an honor to serve that location (hence the term Honor Guard). I believe I remeber something from a blizzard when I was a kid that they basically did not need to shovel the area when the heavy snow hit they kept it down by pacing. Interesting stuff, nobody here would stay.
Click to expand...

They actually wouldn't stay. They would move to the guard shack, as stated above, and maintain their vigil from there.

It's physically impossible to stand there when the wind/gusts starts to get near hurricane strength.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top