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 to 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."


 
 
   ETERNAL  REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND  LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE  UPON  THEM.  
   
        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.