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On this Memorial Day weekend,
America pauses to remember those who died serving our nation.
At Arlington National Cemetary, honoring our fallen Heros
is the full-time job of our Power Player of the week.
To me, I think it's a privelige to have the honor to be able to guard
the Unknowns because that's something I can give back
to my country. Army Staff Sargeant Alfred Lineer
is one of the leaders of the Honor Guard at the tomb of the Unknowns.
If he seems softspoken, just watch him do his job.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please."
"In keeping with the dignity of this ceremony, it is requested that
everyone remain silent and standing."
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a platoon of 30 guards the tomb,
honoring unidentified soldiers from the 1st and 2nd World Wars, and Korea.
The ceremony is simple, yet powerful. A relief commander like Lineer
changes the guard. Then a single sentinel keeps vigil.
He walks 21 steps, pauses 21 seconds, and walks back.
21 as in a 21 gun salute is the military's highest honor.
"Once you step on the plaza, you're counting every step you take."
"Every second is a count, so you have to be precise about it."
"You can almost go outside and change the guard blindfold after you do it so many times."
Guards walk their post for an hour in winter, for a half hour in blistering in the heat.
What are you wearing in the dead of summer?
100% wool. ~How hot does that get?
It gets pretty hot. Do you ever think to yourself, why are we going through all this trouble?
Not really. We're gonna give them the best that we can, and that's what we're doing.
They're just as meticulous behind the scenes.
Guards pull a 27 hour shift, walking their post a dozen times. Then get ready to do it all over again.
They steam their jackets, then put back every piece of brass, precisely measured.
Just shining their shoes takes 4 hours. "You shine it up from the base with Kiwi, Kiwi and water.
Everything from the sole all the way up. You shine it up.
"Forward! ...Huh!" Lineer, whose been a guard more than 4 years, prides himself on their dedication.
In September 2003, with Hurricane Isabel bearing down on Washington, Lineer was told he could take shelter.
"Did you leave your post?" "No, Sir." "Wasn't the wind whipping around at 60 plus miles an hour?"
"Two trees fell on the North and the South end of the plaza, but they did not endanger my life or the life of the sentinels that was there".
Lineer says Memorial Day is always a special time to stand guard.
"While you on post, the veterans be talkin' to ya, tellin' ya. thank you for what you're doing
because they lost a lot of friends in those major campaigns that we had."
"The tombs have been guarded every minute of every day since 1937. How long do you this will go on?"
"The tomb will be guarded. The unknowns will be guarded. There will be a vigil pulled until we can identify each remains."
"And if that goes on forever?" "There will be guards out there forever."
4 Million people a year watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
If you haven't been there, be sure to include it on your next trip to Washington.
And that's it for us. Have a great holiday. We'll see ya next FOX News Sunday, but as we say goodbye...
...a special heartfelt 'Thank You' to those who have given their lives for our country. (Trumpet plays Taps)