Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather. The guards are "sentinels" from the "Old Guard" at Ft Myers Army Base, and you can read about them here. They are all volunteers and are the best of the best of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment.
About a month ago, 4 of our students were randomly selected to represent the Holdrege Middle School by presenting a red, white & blue wreath with our school name on it, to be on display at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.
While the rest of our group wore our matching t-shirts, Avery, Quinten, Yvette, and Andrew got all dressed up and received their instructions for the Wreath Ceremony while the rest of us watched from behind. After the wreath was presented, Taps was played. Wow! What a powerful tribute to our unknown soldiers, and all those who volunteer to stand guard night and day.
The "Old Guard" is the oldest active-duty infantry unit of the Army, they are the escort for the president, they conduct military ceremonies for visiting dignataries, and they perform an outdoor concert/drill team each week called "Twilight Tattoo." And we got to attend it! It was awesome!! (#850)
We saw the Old Guard's Fife and Drum Corps, the Color Guard, the US Army Drill Team, the band "Army Blues" ,and the group "Downrange." I think we were the first Holdrege group to include this concert in the itinerary, and it was so worth our time!
About half-way through their program, a rainbow appeared right behind the flag pole. (#851) That, my friends, is what you call a "kiss from God." It was a goose-bumps moment.
Despite the dark clouds, the only time it rained was while we were on the bus, en route to the Military concert. (#852) It stopped by the time we got to Ft. Myers Army Base, and the concert adorned with a rainbow high in the sky, was a perfect way to end the day.
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