The weatherman leaned into the wind. The foamy surf crashed around him as another gust whipped sand and salt spray into the poor guy’s face. Whatever he was being paid, it wasn’t enough. Apparently there was some unwritten rule that to properly cover a natural disaster, you had to stand out in the middle of it. It was good TV, just not good sense. Jack flipped the station over to Sportscenter and laughed at the oxymoron. Good TV.
The East Coast of the United States was under siege. Political junkies always talked about the “October Surprise.” One week before the Presidential election, Hurricane Sandy was definitely a nasty surprise. The eastern half of the United States was feeling its wrath. It had been hyped as “Frankenstorm” and was living up to the hysteria. Sixty-million Americans were now in harm’s way. This was predicted to be a 100-billion dollar storm. Already the replica ship HMS Bounty had been sunk (the ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies). The Jersey Shore was about to be washed over. New York City faced a calamity not seen since 2001. Cities as far west as Chicago were facing gale-force winds. Jack pulled on his pants and buttoned his uniform. Storm or no storm, he had work to do. He spied his umbrella. With winds blowing near hurricane force, he left it where is was. Nothing was more useless than an umbrella during a hurricane.
Heavy rain lashed his barracks as he left. Everyone else was hunkered down. But not Jack. It was a little before dawn; normally there would have been a slight pink hue off toward the Cheasapeake Bay. Not today. It was dark. The wind cutting through the trees sounded like a jet engine at take off.
Jack wore the second-rarest badge in the Army (the rarest being the Army Astronaut Badge.) He was a sentinel. He was a guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located on Robert E. Lee’s former plantation Arlington, had been guarded continuously since April 6, 1948. Today would be no different. Hurricane Sandy be damned.
Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment took over guarding the tomb after World War 2. A soldier, like Jack, stood guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. And hurricanes.
Jack would stand out in the storm. Plans were for him to move into “Memorial Display Room” when the weather got too rough. There he’d have a line of sight view of the tomb protecting it. But he’d be there. The tomb would remain guarded.
Jack smiled. Like a postal worker, either rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail, nor anything else shall keep this sentinel from his task.
The unknowns before him called for it — No demanded it. Standing out in a hurricane was nothing compared to their sacrifice. They had given a blank check to the United States of America and she had cashed it. As the rain whipped his face, Jack was just glad he wasn’t a TV reporter standing out in the storm surge.
And as the storm struck Washington D.C., the tomb was once again guarded.
One of your best stories yet, Marshall.
I agree with Mary. This is definitely one of your best yet!
Thank you.
-the mother of an Army Ranger
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Thank you, Marshall, for putting things in perspective to start the week. I will laugh every time I see one of the reporters leaning into the wind and rain, and my heart will smile at the dedication of a REAL HERO. God bless you and all those that keep us safe, even after death.
God bless our U.S. military. All gave some, some gave all. Beautiful story tugs on my heart. I’m a very proud Navy wife.
How did you manage to spell soldier wrong three times?
Sorry Mike, I occasionally make mistakes and typos. Thanks for the catch.
Also unlike Mike, I didn’t even notice.
My dad did that when he was stationed in Maryland.
The Tomb Guards are stationed at the U. S. Army post of Ft. Myer, VA.
This is a Holy and Sacred place. And this is a Holy and Sacred walk.
goosebumps. truly.
That’s the America I’m proud to be a citizen of.
This gave me goosebumps!
Foolish and irrational. Dying for an inanimate object? One of the most preventable and avoidable deaths. He’s not gonna protect that tomb from a hurricane.
“Foolish and irrational. Dying for an inanimate object.”
Some would say the same about those in our military who died in battle. I’m proud of our soldiers, and give them the respect they deserve.
Shame on you.
Marshall, thank you again for the reminder of one of the truly great things I love about being an American.
Amen, Clucky!!
Ted, you don’t seem to understand the importance of the tomb. So sad.
The Tomb of the Unknowns has been continuously guarded by the U. S. Army Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, since 1937. The Astronaut badge is just that. No “Army” in front of it. Good article. Thanks for bringing attention to these fine examples of the military. (Badge 7o).
The 7th grade social studies teacher I taught with for years in my middle school always included this story of how the tomb is never left unguarded as part of his holidays program – Memorial Day, in this case. He also went into detail about the guards’ rigorous training, pledge to abstain from alcohol, fighting, bad language, etc. – I think the teacher said the pledge was for life. He talked about that badge and how prized it was. Thanks for reminding me. And my prayers for all who are in harm’s way that they get through this safe and sound.
Ted,
The Unknowns and many others have given their lives to preserve your freedom of speech. To my knowledge no guard has given their life while marching their tour in similar conditions. They feel it is their duty to stand their post. While you have the right to your opinion, it is your comments that are foolish and irrational.
Well said.
Thank you for reminding us of this, Marshall. Terrific tribute.
The changing of the guards should be on everyone’s bucket list. Impressive in good weather, very seldom watched in bad. It and Arlington will make anyone realise the sacrifices our members of the armed forces are willing to make. Thanks for the story.