[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE BRAVERY OF ARLINGTON CEMETERY SOLDIERS DURING HURRICANE ISABEL

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as Hurricane Isabel's winds swept 
over Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers who guard the Tomb of 
the Unknowns were given--for the first time in history--permission to 
abandon their posts and seek shelter.
  But that wasn't what was going to happen, and Sergeant Christopher 
Holmes knew it. He and other valiant members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry 
Regiment stood vigil on overnight duty.
  ``That's never an option for us. It went in one ear and right out the 
other,'' Holmes said.
  The monument was established in 1921 with the interment of an unknown 
World War I soldier, and a sentry has been posted there continuously 
since 1930. Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler didn't want to put the 
guards in jeopardy unnecessarily with the fierce storm bearing down 
Thursday night, so cemetery officials decided to let the guards move 
indoors if they felt they were in danger.
  Holmes' group was on duty for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Thursday until 6 
a.m. Friday. They took turns patrolling the tomb in hourly shifts, 
never leaving their post.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend these brave men and women, who do whatever 
they must to guard the Unknowns. They cherish their post, and consider 
it the greatest honor to go out and guard this symbol of every man and 
woman who has fought and died for this great nation. Their patriotism 
is admired by all Americans.

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