About the Webmaster
A little bit on my military career leading up to The Old Guard and The Tomb:
The Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division, Ft Riley, Ks (1978 - 1980)
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 11 Bravo
While sharpening my skills as a grunt (Infantryman), driving a Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and wondering if there really was a life outside of living in the bush most of the time, I came across a photo in the battalion recruiting office. The photo was Sentinel ( SGT Benny Higdon ) during a winter walk, shouldering an M1 Garand. I hadn't previously known of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but, I was hooked immediately. I did research and became seriously interested in seeking a transfer to The Old Guard. For some reason, I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my military career at that time.
3rd US Infantry, The Old Guard, Ft Myer, Va. (1980 - 1983)
My tour of duty with the The Old Guard began in the late summer of 1979, through the fall of 1983. I was assigned to the 1st Platoon of (Honor Guard Co.) as it was referred to then. E. Co. was just a letter of designation for most of us.
With my eyes set on getting to The Tomb, I practiced my weapons manual skills and my walk while doing funerals and as part of the 4 man Color team. Those were the days. Man, let me tell you, we caught major league crap from the guys in Continental Color Guard during those times. They always loved to accuse us of trying to emulate a color team. I thought we did a fine job. After begging my Platoon Sergeant ( SFC Phillip Fowler, future (SOG) Sergeant of the Guard), I finally got my 2 week temporary assignment, and then my orders to be assigned to The Tomb as a New Man.
The days were long and started quite early. Many hours of training. The Badgeholders kept a tight chain on the New Men, drilling us on facts about Arlington National Cemetery, and especially The Tomb of the Unknown Solider, weapons manual, and essential making sure we were out of their site until the Infamous Quarter Till came around, then, and only then, did they expect every New Man to come flying into the Ready Room screaming at the top of our lungs " Quarter Till ". It really meant alot getting to spend time in the Ready Room assisting the Relief Commander and the next Sentinel going out, double checking their uniform before walking out the door, knowing some day, that would be me standing in the mirror getting ready for my tour, guarding the Unknown Soldiers.
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