Honor
Guard
Honor is a word we rarely hear these
days. Not because certain things aren’t deserving
of it, but people see so few examples of it.
In a day and age where marriage is worth little more than the paper it’s
signed on, reverence of others is a bygone concept, and true honor for God is
overlooked like a penny on the sidewalk…it’s no wonder we miss it.
Not true at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
in Arlington, Virginia.
Thousands travel from around
the globe to this famous cemetery to watch “honor” lived out as vividly as
Joseph’s Technicolor Dream-Coat as these guards reverence an anonymous warrior
who gave this country the ultimate sacrifice.
The epitaph reads, “Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier
known but to God.”
Consider a few recognizable facts of
those given this valued assignment:
2 – The number of years a guard must
commit to serve.
2 – The number of shoulders the guard’s
rifle will rest upon they switch sides at each crossing.
21 –The number of steps each guard takes
in honor of the 21 gun salute.
21 –The number of seconds he hesitates
after his about face to begin his return walk in honor of the 21 gun salute.
30 - The number of minutes each guard
serves before being relieved of duty.
30 - Maximum waist size of guards
including a height that ranges from 5’10” to 6’2”.
Not only do they commit to serve
faithfully on duty to honor those who rest in the hallowed grounds, they also
show their commitment off duty.
Each guard commits not to swear in
public for the rest of their lives, refrain from
drinking any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives nor disgrace
the uniform by fighting. They dress for
duty before a full-length mirror and for the first six months of duty cannot
talk to anyone. Since 1930, the Tomb has
been patrolled continuously, 24/7 around the clock. As a reward, the guard is given a wreath pin
that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as a guard of the Tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
Some time back, ABC Evening News
reported that because of hurricane warnings approaching
Washington, D.C., 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 in 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.
Paul, an original honor guard, once
wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight,
I have kept (guarded) the faith, I have finished the course.” God has called each of us to
honor Him, honor our country, and honor one another. If we’re really committed, we’ll do it
24/7…even during hurricane season.
Terry
Risser
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright 2014 - Terry Risser
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