I love this video! Everyone has strengths. It is wonderful helping others find them.
Category Archives: Inspirational
Jeopardy Question: No One Could Answer
On the Jeopardy game program, the contestants were asked the question which none could answer correctly.
The question was: “How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns”
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Photograph of the Honour Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Arlington Cemetery.
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
ANSWER: 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
ANSWER: 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet?
ANSWER: 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?
ANSWER: 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?
ANSWER: 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?
ANSWER: 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.
SPECIAL NOTE
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. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery .
A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:
– President Taft,
– Joe Lewis {the boxer}
– Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty..
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 service person.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
The above was submitted by RCMP Veteran Shirley Hall.
You’ll Never Walk Alone-Leonard Fish
My attempt at singing You’ll Never Walk Alone. Thanks Dean Kaelin for many wonderful years of voice lessons.
You Can Have Whatever You Want
A very wealthy man was having a party with friends. There was a large swimming pool in the yard. Turning to the guests he said, “This pool is full of crocodiles and alligators. If anyone of you is able to swim across the pool, I will give you whatever you request.
Suddenly there was a splash and a man was in the pool frantically swimming, dodging from side to side just barely avoiding the crocodiles and alligators that were fiercely grabbing for him. He did make it to the other side and was met by a big applause of the witnessing crowd.
Amazing said the rich man. “I didn’t think anyone could do it, so what is your request?”
“All I want is the name of the one who pushed me in the pool.”
The moral of the story is when desire, true grit and determination come together you can accomplish anything.
Things I Learned From the Easter Bunny.
My Reading Miracle
When I was a small child I struggled with my reading ability. I was born with a lazy eye and astigmatism. The first four years of my life I wandered around half blind until I got glasses. This opened up a whole new world where I could see, but I was behind developmentally.
When I was in first and second grades I was at the bottom in all my classes at school. In my effort to catch up and improve myself, one year I received an award for reading 1,000 books to my mother and my two oldest siblings, Ramona and Sherry. The next closest person read only 400 books.
I had many helpful, caring teachers. I remember one machine that helped me read. It would make the sound of a word when you slid a card through the machine. It had a strip of recordable tape attached to cards. You would slide a card through the device, then you would hear the word you just read. I learned how to erase the right word and, replace it with the wrong word instead. The teacher was not happy with my newly discovered knowledge of the reading machine.
I find it interesting that in spite of my difficult past with reading, I have risen above my reading obstacle. I now enjoy writing, and sharing my love of essential oils. I have come full circle, sharing oils that may help small children with their ability to focus which I feel was one of my challenges as a child, and has followed me into adulthood. I have been blessed with an essential oil focus blend, that I have found greatly aids my ability to focus.
Acres of Diamonds-Laura Jacobs
Classic story worth retelling
