SAD SACKS of MASSACHUSETTS

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ETERNAL RESPECT & HONOR PAID AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

For those of you who never knew or have forgot why?

 This ritual is repeated every day, 365 days per year. Neither weather, Natural Disaster, or War can deter them from honoring our country's fallen.

Remember! the fallen that gave of themselves the ultimate sacrafice keeping the citizens of this country and the the world free! 

 

 

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the
tomb of the Unknowns and why?

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?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

 

3. Why are his gloves wet?

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?

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?

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?

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: 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 {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 
Louis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
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 , 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 serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Talking about How SAD SACKS came to be.

 

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How SAD SACKS came to be.

It all started out one Tuesday evening, the 25th of September, 1945, in the University Club in Los Angeles, California. The meeting was being held for the purpose of preparing a program for the AMVETS 1st State Convention which was to be held in Santa Barbara on the 29th of September,1945. During the course of this meeting it was suggested that the AMVETS should provide a fun organization along the lines and similar to the other Veterans Organizations. The suggestion was heartily concurred by all present. It was then suggested that the character best known and recognized by all the GI's was George Baker's Famous SAD SACK. It was decided unanomously that it would be the appropriate name for the AMVETS Fun and Honor organization. during that 1st convention, the details such as uniform, insignia, mascot and assignment of positions. Our present burlap uniform was the result of some extremely creative thinking. The Constitution and by-laws was worked on and presented the following year at the convention in St. Louis Mo. where they were approved. That was it! SAD SACKS were on their way. The 1st National Scrimmage was held in Columbus OH. September 30th to October 1st 1947. During the following years SAD SACKS units were springing up all over the country. By the Third National Scrimmage held in DesMoines IA. The Army Duck Boat was adopted as the official vehicle. The President of the United States Harry S. Truman was awarded a Life Membership to the organization because of his outstanding work for AMVETS. "Oh" by the way! here is a small snippet of trivia. In 1942 the U.S Army adopted Disney's Pluto as their Official Mascot but, what you probably don't know is that SAD SACK's Dog was named Muttsy. Yea! thats right! Not George Shultz's Snoopy! Mutsy! The Talking Dog!Thats the Story. Please Visit the various links on this page. You will be enlightened and delighted. If You are an AMVET you should get involved with SAD SACKS. Contact a local SACK Unit today!