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1,000 words: The sentry

Posted at 11:20 AM on October 29, 2012 by Bob Collins (8 Comments)
Filed under: Weather

This picture, from the First Army Division's Facebook page, is making its way across the Internet today, and well it should. Soldiers continue to stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

What makes the image particularly poignant is the individual soldiers from the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment do not have to. During inclement weather, they're allowed to stand under a tent that's used during wreath-laying ceremonies. And if things get really bad, they're allowed to guard from inside, as long as they have line of sight of the tomb.

Update: Pity. The picture does not appear to have been taken today. it was taken during a rainstorm in September (Note by the rain that the wind here is from the southeast. The hurricane winds in DC today are from the northwest). We presume, however, that the soldiers are in place today, too.

Update - Here's one that is definitely from today. (h/t: J.P. Rennquist)

Comments (8)

Saw this earlier on Twitter. Amazing photo; just emailed it to my retired military father.

Posted by Suzanne | October 29, 2012 12:02 PM

You see this and are given some hope for our country.

Posted by BJ | October 29, 2012 12:04 PM

A much better picture than the obligatory photo of some newsie getting drenched on the beach.

Posted by boB from WA | October 29, 2012 12:26 PM

Looks like you missed an edit in the 2nd graf, Bob.

Posted by Jeff | October 29, 2012 12:34 PM

I knew a couple members of the Old Guard when I was stationed at Ft. Belvoir. The practice they go through before they can guard the Tomb is unbelievable.

Posted by Robert Moffitt | October 29, 2012 1:03 PM

I've heard that it's harder to get on Tomb detail than Presidential detail.

Posted by Tyler | October 29, 2012 1:14 PM

That's awesome, Tyler, if it is true. I hope it is.

Posted by Jeff | October 29, 2012 2:27 PM

They have a tent setup and can use it. They just have to have sight of the tomb.

I don't know when they use it, if they ever do.

Posted by BJ | October 30, 2012 11:00 AM