Tomb of the unknown soldier

[aargh57]

I got an e-mail from my sister today about the Tomb of the Unknown soldier that basically touted there dedication to there job. (Sorry that I'm not posting a link as I don't want to give out her e-mail on the board.) As a fancy myself a critical thinker I was wondering if there are any ways to check some of the claims it makes. Specifically:

"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 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. "


Of course, this e-mail is a chain letter meant to make us proud of our servicemen. I really don't want to debate whether you think we should be proud of servicemen or not but I would think that making outrageous claims doesn't exactly flatter the guards. I especially find the not talking to anyone for the first six months claim pretty hard to believe.

[Manny]

The answer from the Society of the Honor Guard -- Tomb of the Unknowns (http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#Is%20it%20true%20they%20must%20commit%202 %20years%20of%20life%20to%20guard%20the%20tomb,%20 live%20in%20a%20barracks%20under%20the%20tomb,%20a nd%20cannot%20drink%20any%20alcohol%20on%20or%20of f%20duty%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20their%20lives.) is "no."

[LW]

Originally posted by aargh57
As a fancy myself a critical thinker I was wondering if there are any ways to check some of the claims it makes.

Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp).

[Dan Beaird]

Originally posted by aargh57
I got an e-mail from my sister today about the Tomb of the Unknown soldier that basically touted there dedication to there job. (Sorry that I'm not posting a link as I don't want to give out her e-mail on the board.) As a fancy myself a critical thinker I was wondering if there are any ways to check some of the claims it makes. Specifically:

"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 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. "


Of course, this e-mail is a chain letter meant to make us proud of our servicemen. I really don't want to debate whether you think we should be proud of servicemen or not but I would think that making outrageous claims doesn't exactly flatter the guards. I especially find the not talking to anyone for the first six months claim pretty hard to believe.
These are pretty much all false. Tour of duty with the honor guard is a year I think. The badge is a regular military award and is given after the soldier passes a series of proficiency tests mostly involving the ceremonies surrounding the tomb. After nine months of duty the award becomes permanent and they may wear it on their uniform for the rest of their career. It may be revoked by the regimental commander for any conduct that brings the honor guard or the tomb into discredit.

Guards either live on base at Ft. Myer next to the cemetery or off base like other soldiers. There are guard quarters located underneath the tomb where the guards can stay between their shifts of duty which lasts a half hour in the summer and an hour in the winter.

Look here:
Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html)

They look too purty to be real soldiers anyway. (grin)

[aargh57]

Thanks all,

I should've known to just check snopes. Those guys got all the e-mail bunk covered.