A Honor-bound Duty to Guard the Tomb

them and those they stand guard over. Thanks for a beautiful post, G92. Gave me goosebumps.

Thanks for putting this out. We need to see more examples in the media of stories like this.

Having pulled many shifts of guard duty, from ammo dumps in the Phillipines to perimeters in S. Korea to docks in Pearl Harbor, I can relate. I don't know that I ever felt that dedicated, but I was never asked. I just knew it was my job, and failure was not an option, even in peace-time, because how you train is how you perform in real life situations. This story really drives that home.

Yes, duty and responsibility. Two things we as a nation must remember or we will perish.

thank you for that. These soldiers were not LEGALLY required to perform, but they KNEW that they were MORALLY obliged. They did thew right thing because it was the right thing.

At http://truthis.blogtownhall.com/2009/05/17/the_marriage_de bate.thtml I commented, based on the very same distinction. I'm pretty certain, though, that it won't play well there.

The one time I went to Arlington and watched them place a wreath and play taps, I cried like a little girl.

Good post. The unknown soldier really tugs at your heartstrings, as does Arlington cemetery. Thank god for our troops.

We are blessed indeed to have individuals of such integrity watching over us. Now if the scum of Congress could grow some spines like these....

"crusty" old geezer (curmudgeon comes to mind), I do get all choked up over this kind of story. I think that many veterans will always feel a bond with our military no matter how long ago we served. Honor and duty DO mean something to some of us.

in peacetime. I maintained the bombing-navagation system on B-47s during the "cold war" for SAC. Alerts and exercises were as close as I got to hostile action. But, we (SAC under Curtis LeMay) were ready.

much of the young in this country - they've grown up in a permissive PC society. Joining the military would serve many of them well.

of today would have hunkered down in their barracks and played poker or computer games. The sentries didn't HAVE to pull their watches, they were honor-bound to do it and they did. These are the kind of people you want "watchin your back."

cemetery, we weren't able to stop so I've never visited. I'm sure that I would react the same way. Taps, played right, has always had an effect on me.

Yet we have the scum like Code Pink protesting the guys that protect their right to do so.

don't even deserve to be mentioned in the same paragraph as our military. Our service men and women GUARD this country while many of the Congresshoes see it as their personal playground.

I've visited the Tomb of the Unknowns. This is a solemn event. I got tears in my eyes. When my step-kids went they were quiet and respectful, unlike some of the adults present.

What a fine example of our military personnal who risk it all. Fascinating that many of the wouded coming back from I and A are grateful to be alive and optimistic about the future. And so many citizens never get to see or hear from these fine young men and women.

VERY much appreciated this post and also was impressed with the previous.

seems to be becoming a less-widespread commodity. Whether it be the honor of symbolic respect for those who gave all for our freedom...to the honor of not expecting something for nothing.

God help our nation if we continue to fail to instill morals and character into our young.

...our true national treasures, Tomb of The Unknowns, Arlington, Lincoln Memorial, The Capital Building, Washington Monument, Smithsonian, just on and on. All these things are located in a rat infested cess pool like DC.

Between the crime, unemployment, third world public schools, corrupt federal government and even more corrupt city government our Capital City is a disgrace. I can't believe it's always been that way, just wonder when we, as a nation, stopped caring.

That we still have young people in our midst that consider this an honor speaks well, but these days it speaks more of them as an individual and less to the nation as a whole, I sincerely hope we are not witness to a dying breed.

that I've never seen the sentries in person. If I do ever ger back to DC, I won't miss it again.

I wonder if D'ohbama's brown shirts will be imbued with the same spirit of honor and duty?

Obviously, a rhetorical question.

Alas, it appears that teaching your children that honor, and duty, and character, are attributes that identify a person - separate you from the "crowd." Today, the crowd is in it for themselves - having been taught selfishness by their teachers, some parents, and the democrats in power.

These men and women exemplify the very essence of those ideals often equates with doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

RE TAPS and tears:
During the last 18 months of my active service, my military duty was as Petty Officer in charge of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Parades and Color Guard at Seahawks games were always great gigs, but rendering military honors at funerals was our primary function, a solemn duty we took most seriously. We understood the importance of our presence. We represented an entire nation in the eyes of surviving family and friends.
One hundred fifty-eight times we escorted our fallen brothers and sisters to their final duty station.
One hundred fifty-eight times I heard the strains of TAPS echo across somber gatherings.
Yet on each occasion, I found solace and a spiritual uplifting as the final note faded. Every time I hear TAPS, I recall the inconsolable faces of widows, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and friends - and I weep for what is also my loss.

What a tremendous, unselfish tribute to the sacrifice of those who inhabit the Tomb of the Unknowns. Thank you for sharing this, Garnet. It is humbling and profound. The pride for these brave soldiers brings tears to my eyes.

I saw this back in the early 90s, and I don't think I was as moved then as I would be now. I've changed a lot ince those days.

Our military is the brightest spot in the current national landscape. Throughout history, pople were worried that the military would try to take power and install its leaders in office, but, having been there, I strongly believe our military is the last, best defense against tyranny in Washington.

Call me Crazy.

I'd like to think that had I been a part of those 158 services, I would have teared up at each and every one as well. Being a part of a final farewell to our brothers/sisters-in-arms must be an honor. Kudos to you for feeling that way inside and taking your duty so seriously.

country would be like if our national "leaders" were as serious about doing what's right for the country as these men and women. If they had the internal fortitude to make decisions about what is best and right for the country, about being honorable, the country would truly be a "shining city on a hill" as Reagan said.

You are right - our military is probably the best and brightest star among all of America's groups. Certainly, none of the political groups exhibit any honor at all.

You are right - our military is probably the best and brightest star among all of America's groups. Certainly, none of the political groups exhibit any honor at all.

..."I wouldn't expect you to understand. Its a military thing". My eyes started to mist up. I could just picture that clueless reporter, mouth agape.
Great. Very uplifting piece here. thanks. DD

And you know that you could explain "till you're blue in the face" to that reporter and she could never really comprehend what he meant. I sent a link to the blog to the webmaster for the sentinels in hopes that some of them would visit and see the high regard in which they are held by so many of us.

Thanks for stopping by, DD.