To visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is truly a humbling and awe-inspiring event. In all the time I have spent there, I have never seen this happen or even heard of it happening until now. The people that were there probably witnessed something more rare than winning the Powerball lottery. They saw a guard break ranks to challenge and warn a tourist who “crossed the line”.
( Lower LEFT side of the screen ) A man drops his water bottle during the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and gets yelled at by a guard for crossing the rail.
The Guard says “IT IS REQUESTED THAT ALL VISITORS REMAIN BEHIND THE CHAINS AND RAILS”.
Wild Thing’s comment……….
I never saw this happen before or heard of something like this happening. I bet the man that droped his water bottle was shook up. hahahhahaha
God bless our troops!!!!
It is the rules. You must be careful. I’m sorry he dropped his water bottle, but he should have been more careful. The tomb of the unknowns is a sacred, quiet place. The rules are for your own safety and the safety of the honor guards.
I bet that guy was embarrassed. But then, those guards aren’t playing games; they’re as serious as a heart attack.
I bet the guard has been transferred.
This small act, Chrissie, just gave me a much needed boost in my sense well being.
Sorry Marvin but having done guard duty(elswhere) I can just about guaranty the guard was NOT transferred- he was probably promoted!!
The Sentry went to Port Arms, immediately, that is what he’s suppose to do. They are entrusted with the guarding the Tombs, rain or shine or Hurricane. They take their job seriously.
Good for him.
Did you know that there will never be any more Unknowns? All branches of the service now maintain DNA databases on all personnel. If they can find a chunk of you, they will be able to identify it, and send you home.
Bill
Instant reaction. Notice the Sgt of the Guard points to the trespasser at exactly the same time the guard responds. The Sgt of the Guard returns to his dialogue.
wow
Dropping a water bottle is not as unforgivable as Obama holding his hands over his crotch in deliberate disrespect for the National Anthem.
Those Sentinels reacted instantly and appropriately as Honor Guards who have stood watch over the Unknowns since 1926.
“Soldiers never die until they are forgotten.
Tomb Guards never forget”
God bless these Sentinels.
Lynn, your right, I just love how fast
he reacted, like in the blink of an eye.
I agree Lynn that guy should have been
more careful, he was messing with the
bottle or he would not have dropped it.
BobF., yes they have very strict rules for
a reason and this video is awesome to show
just how serious those rules are taken.
I really loved seeing this.
Marvin, he did a good thing, so he
won’t be in trouble at all.
Rodger, thank you so much. I loved it
too.
Fercryinoutloud, thank you for sharing
about when you served guard duty.
Mark, thank you for sharing about it.
This has always been something so
awesome to me. I love the strictness,
the rules of it, the tradition and
how every single thing about it has
a meaning to it.
Bill McNutt, wow that is really something.
I am so glad, it breaks my heart when a
family does not know like with so many in
the past.
It makes this one even more special.
Tom, oh wow good catch I missed that before.
Thank you Tom.
What is interesting is that the fence wasn’t always there. I visited the Tomb back in 1999 and there was no fence. In fact I have pictures somewhere of standing about five feet from the end of the walk (the black pad) and taking pictures straight on of the soldier who was on duty (never walking directly into the area). The only rule then was to maintain silence, and while I was there people respected the area while the ceremony was going on without the fence. If I remember correctly, everyone just stood on the steps. I guess times change…………… and the Sentinel did his job, as he is suppose to.
Jack, yesssss well said, thank you.