Gerry & Ruth Gutierrez' Prayer Letter & Update
June 23, 2011
For You "Soldier of the Cross"
You may already know
about this; but I am feeling very patriotic as the Fourth of July is coming
and I am full of admiration for these soldiers "Unknown to men but known to
God". After all that is what counts.
America is a Decent Country. They honor their falling soldiers.
Thesey soldiers died that we may live the freedom for which the paid with their
blood.
As honorable as this may be; we must not forget Jesus who gave his own life so that we may have truly life eternal. Think of the empty tomb. Think in the honorable Jesus. Let us be part of the brotherhood of soldiers who take turns in lifting the name of Jesus every day of our lives till he returns or calls us home. Tombs that speaks belong to deaths that count.
Gerry
The following is from an email message which I, Gerry, received. It has been slightly edited and reformatted for this web site.
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 execu tes 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 rul es 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 is 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.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
IN GOD WE TRUST
Gerry & Ruthie Gutierrez
74 S. Victor Drive
Flintstone Georgia 30725
Phone: 858 335 8870 (Gerry)
Phone: 858 335 2476 (Ruthie)
Gerardogutierrez46@gmail.com
Ruthiedea@yahoo.com
Our website: http://www.gerry.gutierrezfamilies.com/ggutierrez.htm
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