A Salute To Veterans

On Tuesday, November 11, we will observe Veterans Day. But did you know that the whole week has been designated National Veterans Awareness Week? What a wonderful opportunity to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of the country, and commitment to serve and sacrifice for the common good of the USA.

We at Patriot Mortgage have put toghther a special project in Honor of the Men and Woman serving our great country. Patriot Mortgage, together with Camera Corner and Evans Title of Green Bay are setting up video studios in each Patriot Mortgage Office (Appleton, Green Bay & Oshkosh), to allow family and friends to record a free video postcard to be sent to their loved on serving our country. For more information, please visit my website http://www.wisconsinloantips.com/vetday08.htm

Veterans Day dates back to November 11, 1918 when the Germans signed the Armistice, an order to cease fire, and World War I ended. Originally Veterans Day was known as "Armistice Day", but in 1953, the name was changed to Veterans Day, so that the many other military veterans could be honored and acknowledged as well.

One of the most recognized Veterans Day ceremonies is held at Arlington National Cemetery, which draws hundreds, if not thousands of visitors. Most visitors to the cemetery make a point to stop and visit the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier." This shrine is in honor of the many thousands of veterans who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most visited sites by Americans, prominent dignitaries, and individuals visiting from foreign lands. The site is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by Tomb Guard Sentinels. All Sentinels are volunteers and are considered to be the best of the 3rd US Infantry - the "Old Guard". And becoming a Sentinel is not just about volunteering time. Each soldier has to meet very specific qualifications. The soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an exemplary military record, and meet certain height, weight, and build requirements. The soldier must also commit to giving up drinking and swearing...for life!

Once the basic requirements have been met, the training is broken down into three stages; temporary duty, low-visibility walks, and high-visibility walks. To earn a "walk" the guards must memorize a seven-page document about the history of Arlington National Cemetery, and be able to recite the document verbatim. A "walk" occurs between guard changes.

And when a soldier becomes a Sentinel and earns a "walk" it certainly is not an average walk. Each step, hesitation, and placement of firearm is precisely calculated and has a specific symbolic reference. Each guard takes 21 steps across the Tomb, stops on the 21st step, turns and faces the tomb for 21 seconds, then steps off for another 21-step walk down the mat. Both the 21 steps and the 21-second hesitation symbolize the "twenty-one gun salute", the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. After each about face, the Sentinel changes the placement of the rifle to the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the Sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. The Sentinel then repeats this until the guard changes.

The changing of the guard occurs every hour on the hour from October 1 to March 31 and every half hour from April 1 to September 30. The tomb has been guarded every minute of every day since 1937, even during the storms and hurricanes. Each Sentinel commits two years of his life to guard the tomb, and is given a wreath pin signifying they served as a Sentinel. Presently, there are only 400 wreath pins worn.

In 5th grade my father had meetings in Washington DC and the entire family took a two week trip to the nations capitol. I can remember that trip like it was yesterday! It is quite interesting, as my older siblings do not have the vivid memories that I hold. I suppost it was my age. None the less, seeing the changing of the guard at age 10 was most impressive and even at the your age of 10, I felt the honor.

As we pause and pay tribute to America's veterans, we must honor them with our gratitude, knowing that they served and sacrificed to protect and preserve the values of this great nation...and continue to do so today.