Zeppelin!
10-01-2003, 08:07 PM
Even the Marines have to acknowledge this one. Well Done Army!!
Isabel vs. Honor
When Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, D.C. Thursday,
Washington did what it often does - panic! The federal government was
closed as were the area's schools - even though up until 7:00 pm
the day was only rainy with brief gusts of wind. But while
everyone else was running for cover, there was a different character on
display at Arlington National Cemetery.
The cemetery is "home" to 260,000 veterans. It is also the site of the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, which was built in 1921 to honor those who died for
our country, but whose remains have never been identified. The Tomb is
watched 24-hours-a-day by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old
Guard."
Cemetery officials were in a dilemma. The Old Guard has never
abandoned its post guarding the Tomb. But as Isabel slammed into the area
Thursday night winds hit 75 miles an hour and the rain was torrential. The
cemetery officials, no doubt thinking of possible lawsuits, gave the Old
Guard permission to leave their posts for safety sake.
You guessed it, my friends - the soldiers refused to leave!
Staff Sergeant Alfred Lanier said the Tomb was something "we cherish."
Sgt. Christopher Holmes said leaving the Tomb is "never an option for us"
and added he was prepared to die while guarding it.
As Eisenhower asked when he surveyed the bravery on the
beaches of Normandy, "Where do we get such men?"
Isabel vs. Honor
When Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, D.C. Thursday,
Washington did what it often does - panic! The federal government was
closed as were the area's schools - even though up until 7:00 pm
the day was only rainy with brief gusts of wind. But while
everyone else was running for cover, there was a different character on
display at Arlington National Cemetery.
The cemetery is "home" to 260,000 veterans. It is also the site of the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, which was built in 1921 to honor those who died for
our country, but whose remains have never been identified. The Tomb is
watched 24-hours-a-day by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old
Guard."
Cemetery officials were in a dilemma. The Old Guard has never
abandoned its post guarding the Tomb. But as Isabel slammed into the area
Thursday night winds hit 75 miles an hour and the rain was torrential. The
cemetery officials, no doubt thinking of possible lawsuits, gave the Old
Guard permission to leave their posts for safety sake.
You guessed it, my friends - the soldiers refused to leave!
Staff Sergeant Alfred Lanier said the Tomb was something "we cherish."
Sgt. Christopher Holmes said leaving the Tomb is "never an option for us"
and added he was prepared to die while guarding it.
As Eisenhower asked when he surveyed the bravery on the
beaches of Normandy, "Where do we get such men?"