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smash wrote:I know it's sentimental, but in an era of almost certain economic depression...

...are we really guarding corpses?

Smash, it isn't guard corpses. It's the United States Military paying their respects to all the soldiers that have lost their lives in battle and never made it back to occupy a spot in the country they died protecting. If you've never been I'd suggest you make the trip to DC with the sole intention of watching these guys march. They are almost super-human in the way they execute their duties, it is absolutely awe inspiring. They are very serious about it too. The first time I was there during the changing of the guard one of the soldiers stopped and chastised a member of the audience for talking on his cell phone during the ceremony. I believe everything is based on the #21, 21 steps, motions, seconds and so on.

They have walked in times of depression, war, tragedy, and even hurricane force winds. I believe that after their tour as a guard at the tomb the soldiers get to wear a special patch or medal of some sort that permanently identifies them as a guard of that tomb. Like AB said, a serious life altering honor.


/rant

AngelBaby wrote:I think Phife answered that in good faith.

Living in America, I think we can safely assume he was referring to the one he knows best.

Fair enough. Good to have more participants in the game, anyway.

Bligityblah wrote:

smash wrote:I know it's sentimental, but in an era of almost certain economic depression...

...are we really guarding corpses?

Smash, it isn't guard corpses. It's the United States Military paying their respects to all the soldiers that have lost their lives in battle and never made it back to occupy a spot in the country they died protecting. If you've never been I'd suggest you make the trip to DC with the sole intention of watching these guys march. They are almost super-human in the way they execute their duties, it is absolutely awe inspiring. They are very serious about it too. The first time I was there during the changing of the guard one of the soldiers stopped and chastised a member of the audience for talking on his cell phone during the ceremony. I believe everything is based on the #21, 21 steps, motions, seconds and so on.

They have walked in times of depression, war, tragedy, and even hurricane force winds. I believe that after their tour as a guard at the tomb the soldiers get to wear a special patch or medal of some sort that permanently identifies them as a guard of that tomb. Like AB said, a serious life altering honor.


/rant

I've witnessed the Changing of the Guard, and it is indeed very powerful and moving.

These guys have the precision of machines in their actions. Read the "Dedication" section of the Wiki I linked earlier. Among other interesting facts:

A special Army decoration, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge is authorized for wear passing a detailed test of 100 questions (from a pool of more than 300), a uniform test with two gigs (errors) or less (measured to the 1/64"), and a test on the guard changing sequence. Since 1959, fewer than 550 Army servicemen have been awarded this badge. Of these, there have been a total of 4 women; 3 served as Sentinels, and 1 as a Platoon Leader. The only badge awarded fewer times is the Astronaut Badge.

I said aside from Sentiment. You can't deny that this isn't a valuable service to the American people.

I'm not trying to sound dickheadish here...it's just a basic economic observation.

So I guess I got it...




Note the color.

smash wrote:I said aside from Sentiment. You can't deny that this isn't a valuable service to the American people.

I'm not trying to sound dickheadish here...it's just a basic economic observation.

Absolutely, 100%, without a doubt yes I can deny it. The sense of tradition, honor, and respect are very tangible and worth every dime every spent. Pride in ones duty, self, and country should never be marginalized for monetary considerations.

AB, what I found amusing is that I read your Wiki article after I posted....God I'm a nerd. :-p

Phife, Texas State Capitol building, Austin Texas.

Righto.

Not fair for a Texan to get it though!

Yeah it is, I haven't been there in Austin in over 15 years!

Hallowed ground from a now bygone era!

Hallowed ground for one guy in particular for the last 22yrs...

Uhh...the place where ComicCon is held in San Diego?

None! The Cup overrunneth a lot there.

I need a better clue please.

Fine. I'll just guess and say Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.

I honestly can't tell you why I don't recognize that building, Bligs. All of my mental images of the Joe are white sides, with lots of steps and orange handrails. I've never even ONCE considered what it looked like from the roof.

EDIT: I'm even more annoyed at myself now that I should have recognized the Cobo Hall Roof top ramp and parking in that picture. I had to park there everyday for 2 weeks during the autoshow.

EDIT EDIT: or the useless People Mover. Which is the FIRST thing I thought of when I saw that pic, but then I quickly dismissed it.

Yeppers, its The Joe!

I never even heard of this place until the end of 2004.

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Maldives, anyone.

I wuv u, Smash.