This is from the email he forwarded:
<i>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.
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. </i>
After reading it, especially given our convo a few days earlier (he told me that he didnt believe in military funding, that it was a waste of money blah blah. And I said well, what about money spent on programs where stoners who don't know what to do w/their lives go? Like the peace corps?) I was confused as to why he would send it. I mean I get *why* but why from him and also, its an interesting connection to my dad that I'm not sure many people would bring up on Father's Day.
His response: "I thought you would find it interesting on Father's Day." (For those that don't know, my dad is buried at Arlington National Cemetery)
Me: just what i want is to be reminded my dad is dead on father's day. thanks!
Him: are you for real? did i really remind you to this fact? i thought you'd appreciate the fact the guards took there job so seriously. but it looks liek today you are chosing to be mad at peopple for stupid reasons.
Me: chill out stupid im just joking. sheesh.
This is our typical correspondence between me and him = clearly we frustrate/annoy the shit out of each other.
Yet, I guess, he was one of a small handful of people that sent "thinking of you" type emails yesterday. And despite all the criticism that people give me regarding our friendship, it's probably why I keep him around. Even though sometimes I still want to strangle him, he has "been there" even in his really bizarre way, when many of my "closer" friends have not.