I found these were pretty interesting, just thought I'd share.


>-------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" 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
> > >
> > >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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
> > >
> > >24/7, since 1930.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >God Bless and keep them.
> > >