I thought this information was interesting. On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was:
“How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns?” (By the way, all 3 contestants missed it.)
The 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?”
The Answer: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. “Why are his gloves wet?”
The 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?”
The 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?”
The 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?”
The 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″ Other requirements of the Guard are – 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 disgrance the uniform (fighting) 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 E. Lewis (the boxer) and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy (the most decorated soldier of WWII). Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003, as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, D.C., 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 serviceperson. The Tomb has been patrolled continuously 24/7 since 1930.
Here is up-to-the-minute health news … finally an MD with the right approach! I like this doctor. I may change and start seeing him.
Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… Don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Sorry. Can’t think of a single one.
My philosophy is: No Pain…….. Good! Or: When it hurts … eat desserts!
Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!!… Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO!! Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
Look for the neglect, warfare, sacrifice tragedy and the evil … then look for the hope, healing, life and prayer. Who is mending the flag?
The numbers on the picture below correspond with information about the picture.
NUMBER 1 – NEGLECT
The tattered and worn flag symbolizes the apathy and neglect for the principles on which this country was founded.
NUMBER 2 – WARFARE
The bullet holes represent the spiritual and physical Warfare that has and is taking place for our freedom.
NUMBER 3 – SACRIFICE
This bullet hole, tinged with blood, symbolizes the sacrifice of the flag bearer. He willingly becomes vulnerable, laying down his own arms, in order that he may raise the flag and rally the troops.
NUMBER 4 – TRAGEDY
The tragedy of September 11, 2001 is remembered as you see the twin towers of the New York Trade Center. The face formed by the rising smoke reminds us that we live in a world filled with violence and tragedy.
NUMBER 5 – EVIL
The presence of evil represented by the two demonic faces is a reminder of the ever-present spiritual battle being fought daily.
NUMBER 6 – HOPE
The hope of healing is depicted by the mending of the flag. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
NUMBER 7 – LIFE
Life is precious at any age. This unborn child reminds us to hold high the value of human life.
NUMBER 8 – PRAYER
It is through the humble prayers of God’s people, repenting and seeking Him that the promise of His hearing and forgiving and healing our land will come.
NUMBER 9 – JESUS
JESUS is the One who is mending the flag. (Notice the nail print.) He is truly the Hope for our nation. Healing is available through trusting in His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. The Crimson Thread of Christ Jesus the Savior is woven all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Our church does a youth event each year called Disciple Now. If you would like to take a peek at a slide show about this year’s DNow, copy and paste the url below. We loaded it on YouTube. It’s about 6 minutes long.
I realize not everyone who reads this site is fortunate enough to be a Texan. But those of you who are true Texans and are familiar with the humid and hot weather in the southern part of Texas, will appreciate this joke.
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Gabriel went to the Lord and said, “I have to talk to you. We have some Texans up here who are causing problems! They’re swinging on the Pearly Gates, my Horn is missing, they are wearing T-shirts instead of their robes and there’s barbecue sauce and Picante sauce all over
everything … especially their T-shirts. Their dogs are riding in the Chariots and chasing the sheep. They are wearing baseball caps and cowboy hats instead of their halos! They refuse to
keep the stairway to Heaven clean, and their boots are marking and scuffing up the halls of
Wisdom. There are watermelon seeds and tortilla chip crumbs all over the place. Some of them are walking around with just one wing, and they insist on bringing their horses with them!”
The Lord said … “Texans are Texans, Gabriel. Heaven is home to all of my children. If you want to know about real problems, call the Devil!”
So, Gabriel calls the Devil who answers the phone and says, “Hello … hold on a minute!”
When he returns to the phone the Devil says … “O.K, I’m back .. what can I do for you? ”
Gabriel replied, “I just want to know what kinds of problems you are having down there with the Texans.”
The Devil said, “Hold on again … I need to check on something!”
About 5 minutes later the Devil returned to the phone and said .. “I’m back … Now what was the question?”
Gabriel said, “What kind of problems are you having down there with the Texans?”
The Devil said, “Man, I don’t believe this…hold on again.”
This time the Devil was gone 15 minutes, and when he returns he says, “I’m sorry Gabriel, I can’t talk right now … those Texans have put out the fire, and are trying to install air conditioning!”
Yep. It’s Mike’s company car … 2006 Impala. He was on his way to a ham radio club meeting this afternoon about 4:30 when an elderly lady in a minivan drove right out into the intersection (probably at 45 mph or more since that’s the speed limit) and Mike t-boned her van. He said he was surprised the van didn’t roll.
Anyway, the police asked Mike and the lady to explain their version of what happened. She told pretty much the same thing Mike did. But what really settled it was when the officer asked her: “Ma’am, didn’t you see the red light?” To which she replied: “What red light?”
We had a thunderstorm move through here earlier this afternoon and the traffic signals at that intersection were blinking RED … which as you know is the same thing as a STOP SIGN. So it’s really good that the lights were blinking because now there is no way she can say her side of the road had a green light.
Then he had to make all the calls to his company to let them know what happened and to make arrangements to get a rental car … which took us until about 7:15 this evening! I’m exhausted! He never did make that ham radio club meeting he was headed to! Ha!
Teaching Math In 1960 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1980 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1990 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 2000 A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
Teaching Math In 2007 Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?
A pastor, Kerry Shook, was talking about being wounded by people we love. He had a bow and arrow and a silhouette of a person on an easel up on the stage. He asked his church members: “What if I gave you this bow and arrow and let you shoot arrows at the person who wounded you, made you feel bad, was just awful to you … you’d finally be able to get vengeance. Wouldn’t that be justified?” There were mumbles of agreement from the people sitting in the pews.
Then he did something that caused gasps of shock to come out of the audience’s mouths. He walked over to the silhouette, pulled it off the easel, and underneath it was a face of Jesus. All the arrows were in His face. Pastor Shook then said: “That’s what we do when we are wounded and get back at the person who hurt us. We shoot those arrows into Jesus’ face. Regardless of what we think of that person, Jesus loves them. So when we wound them, we wound Jesus. We do that in many ways … with our words, our actions … you name it.”
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Personally for me, that it is a powerful picture in my head every time I want to get revenge on someone. How about you?
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
“How old are you?” “I’m four and a half!” You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key
You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
“How old are you?” “I’m gonna be 16!” You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now, you’re Just a sour-dumpling. What’s wrong? What’s changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn’t think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80’s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn’t end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; “I Was JUST 92.”
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. “I’m 100 and a half!”
. . . and it’s Jerry. We’ve known Jerry for a long time. He was Erica’s first boyfriend back in the day. And he’s grown into such a wonderful man. anyway, I thought this was appropriate in light of yesterday being the day we celebrate our independence. It is men (and women) like Jerry who give of themselves so we can enjoy our freedoms. God bless you, Jerry.
