I  recently received an email, which included some facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I verified the facts and was so amazed that I want to share them with my readers. The one question on Jeopardy that no one could answer was: “How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the unknowns---All three contestants missed it. The guard of the tomb takes 21 steps across the tomb of the unknown. This alludes to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. The guard hesitates 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk across the tomb. The guard’s gloves are wet to keep him from losing his grip on his rifle. The rifle is carried on his shoulder away from the tomb. After he crosses the tomb and executes an about face he moves the rifle to the other shoulder. The guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, and 365 days a year. 

To serve as a guard of the tomb there are required physical traits. The guard must be between 5’10” and 6’2” tall and his waist cannot exceed 30”. The guards must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They must not swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot bring disgrace on the uniform or tomb in any way.