As they turned to face the tomb (of the Unknown), a bell tolled. The relief commander announced the Changing of the Guard.[1]

They heard him unlock the bolt of his rifle—the signal to begin the ceremony.

Then the relief commander walked to the front of the tomb, saluted, and turned to face the several dozen spectators.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he barked, “may I have your attention, please!

“The ceremony that you are about to witness is the Changing of the Guard. In keeping with the dignity of this ceremony, it is requested that everyone remain silent and standing! Thank you.”

The relief commander walked to the relieving sentinel, conducted an elaborate white-glove, two-minute inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle, then returned it and carefully studied the soldier’s uniform from top to bottom.

The relief commander and the relieving sentinel then marched to meet the retiring sentinel at the center of the matted path in front of the tomb in perfectly matched timing.

After presenting their arms, all three saluted the Unknown Soldiers who had posthumously been awarded the Medal of Honor.

The relief commander spoke to the retiring sentinel: “Pass on your orders.” The retiring sentinel responded, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The relieving sentinel responded, “Orders acknowledged,” and stepped into position on the mat.

The relief commander, along with the retiring and relieving sentinels, marched together in perfect harmony at the cadence of ninety steps per minute.

Once at the end of the mat, the relieving sentinel turned while the retired sentinel walked a few steps further.

After unlocking his bolt, he was ordered to fall out while the relieving sentinel began walking on the mat as the new Tomb Guard.

When the rite was over, Phil shook his head and commented, “What a remarkable ceremony. What a sacred place.”

“To me,” Ross added, “it’s the ultimate symbol of the ultimate sacrifice.” He was quiet for a moment.

“We’ve both served with more men than we can count who did not return to their loved ones, who were never laid to rest with the honors they deserve.

“We’ve both known many men, too many men, who could have been here. So, in a way, to me, the Unknown Soldiers represent them all.”

Phil could only nod his head in assent. He turned away to keep Ross from seeing his tears—tears of relief that he had survived a horrible war when so many of his fellow officers and men had not.

Their faces still flashed before his eyes, and he could name each one.

(TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)

~~~~~

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 311.

[2] Larimore, At First Light, 311-312.

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December 24, 1945M