When Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, D.C. yesterday, Washington did what it often does - panic! The federal government was closed yesterday as were the area's schools - even though up until 7:00 pm last night the day was only rainy with brief gusts of wind.

But while everyone else was running for cover, there was a different character on display at Arlington National Cemetery, just a few miles from my office. The cemetery is "home" to 260,000 veterans. It is also the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was built in 1921 to honor those who died for our country, but whose remains have never been identified. The Tomb is watched 24-hours-a-day by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard."

Cemetery officials were in a dilemma. The Old Guard has never abandoned its post guarding the Tomb. But as Isabel slammed into the area last night winds hit 75 miles an hour and the rain was torrential. The cemetery officials, no doubt thinking of possible lawsuits, gave the Old Guard permission to leave their posts for safety sake.

You guessed it, my friends - the soldiers refused to leave! Staff Sergeant Alfred Lanier said the Tomb was something "we cherish." Sgt. Christopher Holmes said leaving the Tomb is "never an option for us" and added he was prepared to die while guarding it. As Eisenhower asked when he surveyed the bravery on the beaches of Normandy, "Where do we get such men?"

From: Gary L. Bauer
President
American Values

Great post Hog!

Mag

God Bless 'em all!!

Good one Hog.

Dedication through and through.

Hooah, was stationed at Ft Meyers for 3 years. Watched the Old Guard many times at the tomb.