TypicalFish 0 #1 December 23, 2008 ...and I had no idea this is where they came from. God Bless people who think to remember things like this. Rest in Peace, brothers. Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state. "I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #2 December 23, 2008 That's awesome. What a special guy! Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 December 23, 2008 A couple of friends of mine spent last week in DC. The day they were at Arlington just happened to be the day the wreathes were placed. They thought it was really, really cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #4 December 23, 2008 its things like that, go unnoticed by most and arent made into a big deal, so people get the impression that many dont care... you'd be supprised how much stuff goes unreported in the news my burial (if anything WERE to happen to me on my next 2 rotations) will be in arlington"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmaricle55 0 #5 December 23, 2008 Oddly Enough I just got this email today... ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. - Jeopardy Question - On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was: 'How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns -- All three missed it -- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 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 and 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" 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 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 Lewis {the boxer} 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. Muff Brother # 3883, SCR # 14796 ICD # 1 - Pres. Yeah, I noticed and I think it's funny! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #6 December 23, 2008 Respect.... It's all about respect and that's cool in my book. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #7 December 23, 2008 Partially true... http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp. (But none of the stuff about not drinking and not talking for 6 months or watching tv is true). Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #8 December 23, 2008 Very cool! I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TypicalFish 0 #9 December 23, 2008 Quote Very cool! I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g Does "the DC area" include ME? It BETTER."I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #10 December 23, 2008 Quote Quote Very cool! I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g Does "the DC area" include ME? It BETTER. AHEM~ it has always included you.... however you always ditch me! xoxo g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #11 December 23, 2008 Quote Very cool!I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g Ill be there in about 2 weeksYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #12 December 23, 2008 Quote Quote Very cool!I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g Ill be there in about 2 weeks I've been to the Baltimore area 1-2 x per year for the past 7 years (business). Last year was the first time I actually made time to visit DC.... However a nasty staph infection kept me in the hospital for 2 days, so the 2 days of exploring DC turned into 2 hours. I was very bummed! Oh, and Typicalfish ditched me all the previous times! LOL g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TypicalFish 0 #13 December 23, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Very cool!I can't wait for the day that I get back there and finally get to explore the DC area! Happy Holidays, g Ill be there in about 2 weeks I've been to the Baltimore area 1-2 x per year for the past 7 years (business). Last year was the first time I actually made time to visit DC.... However a nasty staph infection kept me in the hospital for 2 days, so the 2 days of exploring DC turned into 2 hours. I was very bummed! Oh, and Typicalfish ditched me all the previous times! LOL g Riiiiiiiight... (finger quotes) Staff Infection (finger quotes)... Promise, NO DITCH on the next trip!"I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #14 December 23, 2008 Quote 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" Are they serious??? The soldier would have to be thin as a rail! I'm 5'-6" tall with a 32 inch waist and I'm still below average weight at 145 to 150 lbs! The soldiers must have to wear a corset to qualify! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #15 December 23, 2008 No, they just can't drink as much beer as us everyday skydivers! In college I was on the bicycling team; I was 6'2" about 188 pounds (and a double major so I only got to party a nights a month) and my 32 inch waist jeans HANGED off me. I never measured it but I would guess I was around 28-29" in the waist. Now, will I EVER be there again? Well, no. But, that's not the point. Dammit. Elvisio "great picture by the way, new desktop background" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #16 December 23, 2008 I was in DC a few years ago, and wish i could go back. I just didn't have enough time to see everything. Anyhoo, do you live,work, or ever get by the corner of 5th and Judiciary Square? If so, i would appreciate it very much if i could send you money and have you put flowers at my sister's name on the memorial wall there. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TypicalFish 0 #17 December 24, 2008 QuoteI was in DC a few years ago, and wish i could go back. I just didn't have enough time to see everything. Anyhoo, do you live,work, or ever get by the corner of 5th and Judiciary Square? If so, i would appreciate it very much if i could send you money and have you put flowers at my sister's name on the memorial wall there. I live downtown, not too far from there. PM me the info and I will take care of it tonight. M"I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #18 December 26, 2008 I had to post this so everyone knows. The very awesome typicalfish, whom i have never met in person, went and put a beautiful bouquet of flowers at my sister's name on the memorial wall in DC. For someone who i don't even know to go out on Christmas eve to do such a thing is truly amazing. And i told him to give me his mailing addy so i could send him money for the flowers, and of course he won't let me pay him. He even took pics for me. It's people like him that make the world a great place. Thank again Matt!! ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #19 December 26, 2008 thanks for posting the story. Beautiful that someone in our community would do this for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyh2omedic 0 #20 December 26, 2008 Hats off to Typicalfish. Very nice. Well done. These are the gifts that make me smile. Very very cool. Peace"You can't teach what you don't know and you can't lead where you won't go" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #21 December 26, 2008 Yes, Matt is a sweetheart! g "Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuFantasma 0 #22 December 26, 2008 A news story was on CNN (TV) about the tradition. They started with a dozen volunteers in 1993.Y yo, pa' vivir con miedo, prefiero morir sonriendo, con el recuerdo vivo". - Ruben Blades, "Adan Garcia" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TypicalFish 0 #23 December 27, 2008 Quote Yes, Matt is a sweetheart! g DA*N. And I've worked so hard on my self centered di**head persona. And Sunny, like I said, it was a privilege."I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
