WILL RECORD YOUR 9/11 RECOLLECTIONS

I will be at the box office ticket windows at The World Arena on Thursday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm to record YOUR "where were you on 9/11" story. It is a great time to buy tickets for "Faces Of Freedom" as well.

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS

If you have already searched our website and you still can't find the answer, please write to us. Check back often as we will be updating this section frequently.

How does the Guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour shift?

Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief (team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 96 hours off. However, over the years it has been different. The time off isn't exactly free time. It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep his/her uniform for the next work day. Additionally, they have Physical Training, Tomb Guard training, and haircuts to complete before the next work day.

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.

How long does the Sentinel hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

He does not execute an about face. He stops on the 21st step, then turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds. Then he turns to face back down the mat, changes his weapon to the outside shoulder, counts 21 seconds, then steps off for another 21 step walk down the mat. He faces the Tomb at each end of the 21 step walk for 21 seconds. The Sentinel then repeats this over and over until he is relieved at the Guard Change.

Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to improve his grip on the rifle.

How often are the Guards changed?

The Guard is changed every thirty minutes during the summer (April 1 to Sep 30) and every hour during the winter (Oct 1 to Mar 31). During the hours the cemetery is closed, the guard is changed every 2 hours. The Tomb is guarded, and has been guarded, every minute of every day since 1937.

Is it true they must commit 2 years of life to guard the Tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a year. There is NO set time for service there. The Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts, but when they are off, they are off. And if they are of legal age, they may drink anything they like, except while on duty.

Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives?

Again, another false rumor.

Is it true after two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as Guard of the Tomb, that there are only 400 presently worn, and that the Guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin?

The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is awarded after the Sentinel passes a series of tests. The Badge is permanently awarded after a Sentinel has served 9 months as a Sentinel at the Tomb. Over 500 have been awarded since its creation in the late 1950's. And while the Badge can be revoked, the offense must be such that it discredits the Tomb. Revocation is at the Regimental Commander’s discretion. But you can drink a beer and even swear and still keep the Badge. The Badge is a full size award, worn on the right pocket of the uniform jacket, not a lapel pin.

Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?

The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand so that his back is straight and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up as he walks down the mat. This allows him to move in a fluid fashion. If he does this correctly, his hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives him a more formal and smooth look to his walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.

The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.

Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to click his heels during certain movements. If a guard change is really hot, it is called a "smoker" because all the heel clicks fall together and sound like one click. In fact, the guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns"). No voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
How many times will a Soldier be on duty during the shift?

Each Relief (team) has a rotation during the 24 hour work day. This rotation is dependent on the number of Soldier-Sentinels who are proficient enough to guard the Tomb. The standard is 3-4 qualified Sentinels, 1-2 Relief Commander/Assistant Relief Commander, and 1-2 Sentinels in training. Generally, the Sentinel will be on guard duty for a tour and have two tours off in between - then go out for another tour. However, in extreme cases, Sentinels have been known to go back-to-back for the entire 24 hour shift.

How do the Soldiers get to and from the quarters without being seen?

Most wear civilian clothes - although the short, tight haircuts tend to give us away.

There is a small green shack next to the Tomb. What is it for?

"The Box" is used primarily during wreath-laying ceremonies for the Sentinel to retreat to while flowers and Taps are being presented. There also is a phone with a direct line downstairs to the Tomb Guard Quarters - this is used in times of emergencies or just to notify the next shift of something.

Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?

Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different (see attached picture). People often came to the cemetery in those days for picnics during which time some would actually use the Tomb as a picnic area (probably because of the view). Soon after, 1925, they posted a civilian guard; in 1926, a military guard was posted during cemetery hours; and on July 1, 1937, this was expanded to the 24-hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has developed throughout the years to what we have today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who want to get a better picture or uncontrolled children (which generally is very frightening for the parent when the Soldier challenges the child).

What happened to the soldier that was in the Tomb from the Vietnam War?

The remains of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier were exhumed May 14, 1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, DoD scientists identified the remains as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972. It has been decided that the crypt that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain vacant. (Further Background)(News Article from the Department of Defense)

What is it like to guard in bad weather?

The guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (we call ourselves "Sentinels") are completely dedicated to their duty of guarding the Tomb. Because of that dedication, the weather does not bother them. In fact, they consider it an honor to stand their watch (we call it "walking the mat"), regardless of the weather. It gets cold, it gets hot - but the Sentinels never budge. And they never allow any feeling of cold or heat to be seen by anyone.

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.

Do you guard all night long, even when the cemetery is closed?

The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, there has been a Sentinel on duty in front of the Tomb every minute of every day since 1937. And the Sentinel does not change the way he guards the Tomb, even at night when there is no one around. The Sentinels do this because they feel that the Unknown Soldiers who are buried in the Tomb deserve the very best they have to give.

How many Sentinels have been female?

There have been 3 female Sentinels.

FACES OF FREEDOM ALBUM AVAILABLE ON I-TUNES

The Faces Of Freedom songs are now available for download from Itunes. Today's guest co-wrote several of the songs.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/faces-of-freedom-ep/id460671403


1 Standing Up For You - Radney Foster
2 Hell On My Heart - Suzy Bogguss
3 Face of Freedom - Radney Foster
4 Scars - Darden Smith
5 Predator Road - Jay Clementi
6 God Challenged Me - Ashley Arrison

Three acclaimed singer songwriters from Nashville, TN and Austin, TX will lead a weekend songwriting retreat for wounded soldiers in Vail, CO from July 28-31. Selected songs will be performed, recorded and available for download and/or purchase after 9/11 Faces of Freedom event, sponsored by LifeQuest Transitions.

Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) July 16, 2011
Songs of America’s soldiers will soon be heard as three acclaimed singer songwriters from Austin, TX and Nashville, TN participate in a songwriting retreat for wounded soldiers in Vail, Colorado from July 28 – 31. The musicians will work individually and as a group with soldiers who have been brought together by event sponsors, LifeQuest Transitions, a Colorado Springs non-profit who offers a variety of transition programs for soldiers and their families. Songs from the retreat will be performed at the Faces of Freedom event to be held on 9/11 at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Selected songs will likely be available for download after the 9/11 event and eventually available for purchase on a commemorative CD. Proceeds will benefit military families and LifeQuest Transitions' programs. The event seeks to encourage creative expression in the soldiers and build awareness of many issues facing them, their fellow wounded soldiers, their families and communities today.
The musicians have been gathered by acclaimed Austin singer-songwriter and recording artist, Darden Smith, founder of The Be An Artist Program* which provides creativity workshops in a variety of settings. Smith, whose recent release "Marathon" reveals the depth of his poetic artistry, will be joined by Radney Foster, with whom he co-wrote the powerful song Angel Flight, a profound tribute to the pilots who fly fallen soldiers home for burial -- watch the video of the making here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkxiqKj0nU. Foster’s hit list is vast, as are his awards as a solo artist and with the mega hit producing duo Foster and Lloyd. His songs have been recorded by: Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, the Dixie Chicks, and many others. Jay Clementi, another Nashville favorite with a colorful creative streak, wraps up the talented trio.
Along with songwriting assistance, the musicians will share stories from their own experiences – on and off the stage. LifeQuest Transitions Founder, CW Conner, and staff will be on hand to incorporate their signature outdoor adventure exercises and life skills instruction. Much of the retreat will be documented in film and print. Video clips will be shown at the 9/11 Faces of Freedom event.
The Faces of Freedom event will include:

o Video Documentary – Special video footage of our wounded warriors sharing personal experiences through music, facilitated by professional singers/song writers**.

o Medal of Honor Display

o Personal stories of veterans from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam

o Families of fallen soldiers

o A look at our communities and some of the programs that have evolved to provide transitional support, education, and awareness campaigns for our service members

o A matter-of-fact look at the effects of invisible wounds; this will act as the launch for a national awareness campaign called Mission7
Music – Featured Performers

o Wounded Warrior Music – songs composed and (possibly) performed by soldiers

o **Radney Foster (Angel Flight Video) – multi award winning artist

o *Darden Smith – acclaimed musician, founder of The Be An Artist Program, Soldier Songwriting Project

… and some special surprises – more details to come!
Faces of Freedom Ceremony will combine a large presence of our military’s future, present, and past service members with a special Passing the Guidon from the “Greatest Generation” to the Next.
o 50 Re-enlistment (Active Duty)

o 100 Future Soldiers (New Enlistment)

o 100 Greatest Generation (All Conflicts)

o 100 Families of the fallen

o 250 Wounded Warriors

o First Responders (Police, Fire and Emergency)

o Community Leaders (50 Key community leaders from across the country)
Guests

o Video from the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff

o Local and State leaders

o Multiple Military leaders from all branches
Open Event Details

Date Sunday September 11, 2011 Proposed Time: 4-7PM
LifeQuest Transitions is a 501C3 Non-Profit organization which utilizes empowerment programs to transition our wounded, ill, or injured American soldiers via techniques that facilitate personal growth, leadership skills and positive change. The program incorporates physical training with high adrenaline adventure sports (mtn. biking, white water boating, rappelling, high ropes, orienteering, etc.) as a platform combined with a structured curriculum and measured outcomes.
6125 Omaha Blvd

Colorado Springs, Co. 80915

Visit us on the web: http://www.MYLQ.org

FACES OF FREEDOM - SEPTEMBER 11TH - WORLD ARENA

Very Special Evening Featuring:

Songs co-written by today’s veterans and award winning musicians.
Video Documentary revealing behind the scenes footage from active duty warriors, combat photographers and veteran support programs.
All proceeds go to benefit veterans and Lifequest Programs.
LifeQuest Transitions will host a 9-11 Faces of Freedom event on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the World Arena in Colorado Springs to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attack on the United States. World renowned musicians, entertainers and public figures will be among those who gather to remember the fateful day and salute those who have answered the call to serve and those who continue to pay the price for Freedom. This tribute honors our men and women returning home from military service and heightens awareness of the physical and invisible wounds suffered along with the far-reaching effects on the individuals, families and society for generations to come. The event challenges our communities to develop and facilitate community blue prints that will effectively re-integrate the hundreds of thousands of military personnel and families back to meaningful civilian lives.

Program Agenda — The Faces of Freedom event will include:

Music – Featured Performers

Wounded Warrior Music – songs composed by professional song writers and our featured veterans
Radney Foster (Angel Flight Video) – multi award winning artist
Darden Smith – acclaimed musician, founder of The Be An Artist Program, Soldier Songwriting Project
Jay Clementi-singer song writer for Willie Nelson, Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker
Video Documentary — Special video footage of our wounded warriors sharing personal experiences through music, facilitated by professional singers/song writers Additional footage will include:

Personal stories of veterans from this generation
Faces of Freedom Guidon Ceremony
A look at our communities and some of the programs that have evolved to provide transitional support, education, and awareness campaigns for our service members.
A matter-of-fact look at the effects of invisible wounds; this will act as the launch for a national awareness campaign called Mission7.
Faces of Freedom Ceremony will combine a large presence of our military’s future, present, and past service members with a special passing the Guidon from the “Greatest Generation” to the Next.

Future Soldiers and Marines (New Enlistment)
Gideon Ceremony (All Conflicts)
Families of the fallen
Wounded Warriors
First Responders (Police, Fire and Emergency)
Community Leaders (Key community leaders from across the country)
Special Guests

Live feed from very special guests from around the globe
Special Surprise Video Messages
Local and State leaders
Multiple Military leaders from all branches
Open Event Details

Date Sunday September 11, 2011 Time: 4PM Doors open at 3PM

GEORGE W. BUSH INTERVIEW TONIGHT

REBROADCAST TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM


National Geographic Channel presents George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview, a world premiere documentary that reveals exclusive, first-person insight into the former president's experience following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In the most in-depth on-camera interview he has ever given on the subject, President Bush recalls what he was thinking and feeling and what drove the real-time, life-or-death decisions he faced in the first minutes, hours and days after the most lethal terrorist attacks ever on U.S. soil. Hear in unprecedented, intimate detail what he grappled with as both commander in chief, and as a man concerned for his family and fellow citizens. George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview also takes viewers behind the scenes with extensive archival footage and exclusive materials directly from his library that open a new window into his personal experiences during that historic day that changed the face of America, and the world, forever.

RANDALL WOULD HAVE USED "CHIN MUSIC"

I like how Brad Penny stands up for parents, ladies & kids. Please note how Rodriguez doesn't get it. He thinks it is the wrong time to be corrected... but it was an ok time to swear. If it were me... I would have sent the message in his next at bat with a little chin music. Just sayin. Richard

NO SWEARING

It sounded absurd when news came out that Tigers pitcher Brad Penny was yelling at Tampa’s Sean Rodriguez for running “too hard” on a pop-up during Tuesday’s game.

Such criticism seemed even more absurd when Rodriguez actually beat the Tigers on a hustle play on Wednesday, beating a throw to second while the winning run scored.

“For anybody to bark at another player for ... hustling is absolutely insane, ludicrous,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Turns out, at least according to Penny, that he was yelling at Rodriguez for swearing loudly as he rounded the bases at quiet Tropicana Field.

“To me, that’s a sign of disrespect if you’re screaming that loud,” Penny said. “All these kids can hear you, it’s not too loud in here. So to me, that’s not really professional.”

Rodriguez agreed, to a point, but didn’t think it was any of Penny’s business.

“It’s not a good image you want to be sending off, cause with TV the way it is and media the way it is, you can read lips and can see what we’re saying to each other,” Rodriguez said. “So in essence, I can see where he can say it’s not professional. But there’s no need for him to come out and bark at me. He didn’t have to say anything to me, whether it was unprofessional or not, it’s not his place to do that, that’s not the time to do that.”

SONGS FOR HURRICANE SEASON

This is the lame list that the New Yorker gives:

THE IPOD OF THE HURRICANE: SONGS FOR A WINDY WEEKEND
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for caution. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency. And as Hurricane Irene moves up the East Coast, worried citizens are stocking up on supplies. In light of that, here is our Hurricane Irene playlist. We have excluded the Scorpions’s “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Neil Young’s “Like a Hurricane,” and The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm.” Song choices are not meant to undermine the potential severity of the storm and should not be considered appropriate substitutes for water, canned goods, and batteries.

1. Wynonie Harris, “She’s Gone with the Wind”
2. The Delfonics, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”
3. Ella Fitzgerald, “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)”
4. Robin Williams, “Blow Me Down”
5. The Carpenters, “Rainy Days and Mondays”
6. Tom Waits, “Blow Wind Blow”
7. Ian Hunter, “Irene Wilde”
8. Bob Dylan, “Ballad in Plain D”

WHAT? And they wonder why they are not like us???

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL RICHARD RANDALL LIST:
Tryin' To Reason With Hurricane Season - Jimmy Buffet
Eye Of A Hurricane - John Anderson
Riders On The Storm - Doors
Hurricane - Bob Dylan (but hey Bob - Ruben WAS guilty)
Eye Of The Hurricane - David Wilcox
Like A Hurricane - Neil Young
Like A Hurricane - Roxy Music
Rock Me Like A Hurricane - Scorps
Ridin' The Storm Out Reo Speedwagon
Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival
When The Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin
When The Levee Breaks – Memphis Minnie
Hurricane - Eric Benet