Joined
·
4,604 Posts
I know this post is not about guns but I would appreciate it if the moderators would allow this being it's so close to what we Canadians call "Rememberance Day". It is November 11th., and for me it is a very special day. My grandfather and two uncles died in World War II and I lost two of my very best friends in Vietnam in '68 and '69.
I've been to "The Tomb" and have had the profound honor of witnessing thirty minutes of duty of the most amazing Marines. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I felt so proud that day standing there, knowing I was there for my two friends I had lost so many years ago.
Marty a Marine from Wayzata, Minnisota and the other Sgt. Bobby Baker US Army, from Springfield Illinois.
MARTIN JOSEPH BENSON
1LT - O2 - Marine Corps - Reserve
24 years old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 20, 1945
From WAYZATA, MINNESOTA
Length of service 6 years.
His tour of duty began on Nov 29, 1969
Casualty was on Feb 26, 1970
in QUANG DUC, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 13W - - Line 57
===========================
ROBERT JOHN BAKER
SGT - E5 - Army - Regular
20 years old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 14, 1948
From SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 31, 1968
Casualty was on Jul 12, 1969
in BINH LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER ACCIDENT
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 21W - - Line 105
===========================
ARLINGTON CEMETERY
![Crest Label Logo Wall sticker Emblem]()
![Wall Architecture Building Facade Art]()
![Memorial Monument Statue Gesture]()
I've been to "The Tomb" and have had the profound honor of witnessing thirty minutes of duty of the most amazing Marines. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I felt so proud that day standing there, knowing I was there for my two friends I had lost so many years ago.
Marty a Marine from Wayzata, Minnisota and the other Sgt. Bobby Baker US Army, from Springfield Illinois.
MARTIN JOSEPH BENSON
1LT - O2 - Marine Corps - Reserve
24 years old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 20, 1945
From WAYZATA, MINNESOTA
Length of service 6 years.
His tour of duty began on Nov 29, 1969
Casualty was on Feb 26, 1970
in QUANG DUC, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 13W - - Line 57
===========================
ROBERT JOHN BAKER
SGT - E5 - Army - Regular
20 years old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 14, 1948
From SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 31, 1968
Casualty was on Jul 12, 1969
in BINH LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER ACCIDENT
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 21W - - Line 105
===========================
ARLINGTON CEMETERY
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.
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?
![Memorial Security Uniform Monument Official]()
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
![Statue Monument Photography Square National historic landmark]()
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.
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 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 Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.
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.
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.
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 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 Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.
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.
