I got some interesting information in an email a week or so ago…
To qualify for guard duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C., a soldier commits to 2 years to guard the tomb, living in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol, or swear in public for the rest of his life.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty, ensuring there are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
The first six months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930, even through Hurricane Isabelle in 2003.
All to serve a fallen comrade they’ve never met.
We say we serve our Savior…
- How committed are we to living a lifestyle that honors Him on and off "duty"?
- Do we ensure our uniform – Christ's righteousness – is in perfect, spotless condition? How much time do we spend taking care of it?
- How much time do we spend, away from other distractions, in study and preparation for duty?
- Do we continue to serve during the fiercest of storms?
The fallen soldiers deserve our thanks and our honor for their sacrifice.
How much more should we honor Jesus Christ?
Julie Gillies says
Wow, Paula, this was SO interesting. I had no idea how stringent the code of honor is for soldiers who guard the Unknown Soldier's tomb. Impressive. Great analogy. Happy Memorial Day!