Pic: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

[riverwalker]

Cpl. Beddoe, USMC'81?@usmc81

Soldiers of the 3rd Inf Reg. continue to stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. #HONOR #Sandy

[sweettater]

1. So proud.

If you have never seen the changing of the guard, you should. It is amazing.

[formercia]

4. I used to hang out with the 'Old Guard'

They can party hearty off duty. 2 crazy Black Women. One was a Vet that took care of the Horses, and the other worked at the White House.

[malaise]

2. At some point life should supercede tradition and honor

Get out of harm's way.

[NOLALady]

3. That is scary.

Tradition is great. But, Mother Nature should not be taken lightly. Those boys should be out of harm's way!

[freedom fighter jh]

42. It's not that bad yet.

I live in the DC area. Tonight or tomorrow they may be in danger from high winds, but just now it's just raining hard and a little windy. Just a little.

[Javaman]

6. Those soldiers live for this.

This is why they are there.

Probably one of their proudest moments.

[Wait Wut]

7. Exactly.

As a Marine mom, I'm sure their parents are wishing they'd get the hell out of there, but I also know how proud those parents are.

[Poll_Blind]

21. ^ This.

For real. These guys are incredibly dedicated to what they do. The spend hours each day just preparing their uniforms before going on watch.

PB

[calimary]

50. Perhaps that's what the phrase "Semper Fi" means - even if you're not a Marine.

Another demonstration of service, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.

[The Doctor.]

59. ...`

Yep.

[lastlib]

13. With past storms, they have been offered the chance to stand down.

They always refuse. The Tomb is that important to them.

They amaze me.

[troutbrook]

14. Tomb of the Unknowns

A comment like that means...you just don't get it!! Ever faithful!!

[calimary]

51. Welcome to DU, troutbrook! It's all about duty.

I guess this is just one dramatic way to demonstrate it, or symbolize it. While I too (as a mom) wish those boys were inside where they're warm and dry and hopefully not catching cold. That said, I clearly recognize the meaning behind the service in that photo. It's all about devotion to duty. Honor. Sacrifice. Service. To something greater. To some, that kind of thing will never make sense. But the transcendent is essential to our nature, and it's what elevates us out of the lizard-brain slime.

[Grins]

25. They will be pulled

There is no standing order that they MUST be on guard during dangerous weather conditions. Some ignore the order to stand-down.

[LanternWaste]

39. What is that precise and relevant point?

"At some point...

What is that precise and relevant point, and on what objective measure is that based on?

[Floyd_Gondolli]

55. It's most commonly done for lightning

The concept that they are left out to die is an urban legend promoted largely by chicken hawk conservatives.

My uncle worked at Arlington (civilian) for 25 years.

[yawnmaster]

57. what is life without honor? ...

and this is my opinion, but I believe honor supersedes life.

[LP2K12]

5. Beautiful!

[renate]

8. ... chills...

[LynneSin]

9. OMG I hope they pull them when this storm makes landfall

I know what these soldiers do is important but so is their lives!

[11 Bravo]

35. Trust me, Lynne. They would have to be physically removed.

I have known some of these guys, and the Third Herd eats this shit up!

[amuse bouche]

10. It's seriously time

for common sense to kick in

[CherokeeDem]

11. The Most Honorable of Men....

I am worried about these soldier as well, but so very proud of them.

[DaDeacon]

12. Information about the Guard from "Tombguard.org/society/faq/"

Do you guard in a blizzard or a bad thunderstorm?

YES, BUT the accomplishment of the mission and welfare of the Soldier is never put at risk. The Tomb Guards have contingencies that are ready to be executed IF the weather conditions EVER place the Soldiers at risk of injury or death – such as lightning, high winds, etc. This ensures that Sentinels can maintain the Tomb Guard responsibilities while ensuring soldier safety. It is the responsibility of the Chain of Command from the Sergeant of the Guard to the Regimental Commander to ensure mission accomplishment and soldier welfare at all times.

It was erroneously reported that during Hurricane Isabel, the Sentinels were ordered to abandon their posts for shelter and that they refused. No such order was ever given. All proper precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the Sentinels while accomplishing their mission. Risk assessments are constantly conducted by the Chain of Command during changing conditions to ensure that soldier welfare is maintained during mission accomplishment.

I think as of right now all they are are getting is strong wind and cold heavy rain, any Marine will tell you that's not so bad.

Semper Fi.

[sarisataka]

15. Awesome photo

These soldiers truly understand the meaning of duty

[Historic NY]

16. Eternally faithful.

[Skidmore]

17. I know everyone is getting chills and goosebumps but I'm seeing

three men who could be used to assist with actual storm related activities now. Yes, this monument is an important symbol but leaving it unguarded to help the living would not be a disaster.

[AtheistCrusader]

23. It's not just 'a symbol', it's part of 'the deal'. No one left behind.

A code of honor between soldiers. I doubt they will break it.

[flamin lib]

18. In 1969 during the Vietnam Moritorium (google it)

I stood guard on the Tomb. Not as an honor guard but as a draftee 'guarding' the guards. One four hour tour. I also stood guard on the Lincoln Memorial. Ya' could kinda slouch around during your four hour tour everywhere but here. That was one long fucking four hours.

It was a very interesting time to be in the Army . . .

[rateyes]

20. wow

[flamin lib]

26. When you google Vietnam Moritorium click on Images.

I'll be the one wearing green . . .

[rateyes]

41. all the pics are black and white...

Damn. I'm old.

[Odin2005]

19. That's what DUTY looks like!

[Duval]

22. Dedication and honor. n/t

[blackspade]

24. Awesome.

I wish our politicians were as dedicated as these young men.

[reflection]

27. Just visited that a few weeks ago.

It was powerful and sobering. Seeing these soldiers standing tall makes it even more so.

[amuse bouche]

28. That picture was from

September. What's the point of posting it as though it were today?

Edit to add proof.So says Think Progress

https://twitter.com/thinkprogress/status/262981124551213056/photo/1

[oldtime dfl_er]

30. so it's not "fake"

it just wasn't taken five minutes ago. Still a beautiful picture.

[amuse bouche]

33. Well it's not honest

I don't get the point of being dishonest about the origin, time and space of a picture. Like I said, what's the point?

And beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I don't find anything beautiful about needless death. I say that as someone who lost a family members in W's senseless war and 2 uncles in the asinine debacle of Nam

The true beauty would be if they were still with us for the holidays rather than the empty place settings we still set

[JimDandy]

38. So who here in DC can go and get us a current photo?

[pinboy3niner]

45. The Atlantic Wire posted one from earlier today:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/10/think-you-retweet-how-spot-fake-storm-photo/58475/

[nichomachus]

49. It was fake

Because the Army said it was taken today -- they should have said it was a "file photo."

[Historic NY]

54. But the rain is real...

The point is the "Old Guard" is still out there.

[B Stieg]

29. Duty brings honor

[thelarge]

31. Cpl. Beddoe

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[Third Doctor]

32. I admire their service.

But I think in this case a bit of pragmatism is in order.

[skeewee08]

34. God bless them & all our Troops.....

[Swede Atlanta]

36. And Robme wants to outsource their honor to mercenaries and deny them benefits....

Fuck the Republicans....

[JimDandy]

37. Good for them! Wish I were there to give them warm soup and steak when they get off duty.

[southernyankeebelle]

40. I had the pleasure of being downstairs at a church waiting for the funeral detail to carry

the casket for burial. My dad and mom are buried there. These young people were so nice and really felt that were happy to be there to support the families. No matter what race or nationality or religion these soldiers are they showed respect to everyone. I will never forget their kindness on the worst day of my life. Wheter your a general or an enlisted man they treat you the same.

[tjwash]

43. Hoaxed

http://www.buzzfeed.com/reyhan/viral-photos-that-arent-hurricane-sandy

[Kindly Refrain]

44. I guess it doesn't matter around here that this was disingenuously faked by the US Army

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021661880

[SQUEE]

46. So you are saying..

That at this moment two young men are not standing as Sentinels at the the Tomb?
Because that's what matters to me, them and most who have served. They are keeping a covenant to their brothers to never leave a fallen comrade behind. If this picture was taken last year, my pride in them and their honor and duty remains.

[obamanut2012]

47. The military dishonored The Guard

By not being truthful about what the photo. There is no reason to lie, and I am personally rather ticked they used the dead and The Guard in this way.

[yawnmaster]

58. So is the tomb being guarded right now or not? eom

[Scootaloo]

60. If you borrow a VERY broad use of the word "fake"

The statement is the men are still standing their watch. The picture is not from Hurricane Sandy, but they don't say that it is; However, foul weather one day at the memorial probably isn't greatly different from foul weather on another day.

[Turbineguy]

48. That's how it works.

You can't beat Americans.

[OldRedneck]

52. The guards have two small shelters where they can stand out of the storm

Look at the photo. Note the soldier who is facing the camera. Between him and the two guys facing the tomb is a long black stripe. That stripe is actually a heavy rubber covering, similar to AstroTurf without the grass. The guards march back and forth on this when they are guarding the Tomb.

At each end of this walking strip is a small shelter, similar to a telephone booth (I know -- you young folks who were issued a cell phone at birth don't know what a phone booth is, but, trust me -- I'm an Old Redneck). In the case of inclement weather, the guards can stand in the shelter.

There's only one guard on duty at a time. This photo showing three is the changing of the guard. The guy facing the camera is the Sergeant of the Guard. One of the two others is the guard who is going off duty, the other is coming on duty. They go through a set of precision movements so there is no interruption in the guard.

[lib87]

53. Awesome Picture

And pretty bad ass.

(Apologies if that is offensive but that was my first thought lol)

[johnt_1956_55]

56. as i said before

what brave honorable men

[Rex]

61. Come on now, stick them in something more appropriate.

Like rain gear. No reason for one to catch a cold and get sick.