Vetertan's Day (a.k.a. Armistice Day) in America - November 11th

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The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Twenty-one steps south. Face east 21 seconds. Face north 21 seconds. Twenty-one steps north. Face east 21 seconds. Face south 21 seconds. Repeat until relieved.
Thus is the meticulous routine performed by the select few chosen for the honor of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located in Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington, D.C.
These Tomb Guard Sentinels, elite volunteer members of the U.S. Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, watch the Tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, rain or shine -- and have done so for almost 80 years.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was constructed in 1921, after Congress approved the burial of an unidentified U.S. soldier from World War I, with other Unknowns interred since.
The Tomb has been guarded year-round continuously since 1937, when the first 24-hour guards were posted. Since April 1948, sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Old Guard," have been watching over the hallowed memorial.
The above video shows a complete changing of the guard ceremony edited together from three different ceremonies all recorded on May 20, 2015.
To watch the video at full resolution, be sure to choose the 4K option in the YouTube player. The video was shot and produced by Justin Scuiletti.
Special thanks to Arlington National Cemetery and Sgt. 1st Class Nicolas Morales for helping in the production of this video. --PBS
 
gruntlabor said:
The Tomb has been guarded year-round continuously since 1937, when the first 24-hour guards were posted. Since April 1948, sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Old Guard," have been watching over the hallowed memorial.
Click to expand...


I knew I had seen a sign on some building in the 199th's headquarters that said "Old Guard", but, I couldn't make the connection at first. (old age you know) :). A quick internet search got me up to speed.
The 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (2-3 INF- "Old Guard) was activated and deployed with the 199th LIB to Vietnam in December1966. This specific battalion's service in Vietnam was in a combat role, separate from the ceremonial duties (like guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier).

That got me to digging through my old photo's. Yep... I did remember it correctly. :)


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My beloved father (pharmacists mate) and his older brother (commander), were both WWII USN Pacific theater vets. Thank you Dad. I love you! And enormous thanks to so many others, that have allowed the rest of us to live in freedom with democratic governments, as all humans should.

An aircraft carrier plane landing cable snapped that cut the man beside him in half while putting Dad into the hospital for a year with a severe lower back injury that ended any serious athletic life. Although I at E3, was in the Viet Nam War, thankfully, was never stationed directly in that country. Too many from my generation, including a neighborhood friend, didn't make it home alive. And yeah, this small person greatly dislikes conflict, much less war.
 
My husband and I pulled over at 11:00 to sit in silence to remember all those who gave up their lives to help bring us peace.
My husband usually watches the parade on this day but didnā€™t today.
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