Michael A Butrum Mr

Tomb Position

Commander of the Relief, Sentinel

Tomb Relief

2nd

Highest Military Rank

E-5

Tomb Dates

Sep 1965 - Jan 1967

Military Dates

Feb 1965 - Mar 1967

Society Membership

Founding Father

Home City / State

Detroit, MI

Current City / State

Asheville, NC

Tomb Reflections

Relief Commander 2nd. Relief 30 May 1966, President Johnson Wreath laying ceremony.

Met the first Medal of Honor recipient from Viet Nam, Capt. (later Col.) Roger Donlon in the Guard Quarters.

Worked under 3 Sgt. of the Guards in 17 months, SFC A. Eldredge, SFC J.Meekins and SFC T. Bone. Sgt. Eldredge was most memorable.

Made some of the best friends in my life at the Tomb including M. Denham, H. Brennan, C Shacochis, M. O'Dell and most memorable, Marvin Franklin.

Units & Campaigns

3rd. Infantry \"The Old Guard\"

Awards & Decorations

Good Conduct
National Defense
Tomb Guard Badge
Legion of Honor award in Basic Training, Ft. Knox

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Did you know?

Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?

The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.

The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.

Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.

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