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Robert V Condon
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, SentinelTomb Relief
1stTomb Dates
Dec 1969 - Dec 1970Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Whippany, NJTomb Reflections
First walk photo appeared in local newspaper on 12/2/68 (my deceased Father's date of birth), new man wreath bearer 12/25/68 with Sgt. Gordon Ellens, my RC who was the old man, and many numerous others, including the double "for the last time" guard change with Sgt. Michael Lahr with whom I entered and left the Army on the same days.Obituary
ROBERT V. CONDON, JR., 64, of SPARTA, New Jersey, entered into eternal rest on on June 10, 2010. He was born on June 3, 1946 in Morristown, New Jersey and grew up in Whippany, New Jersey. He was an avid Ornithologist and golfer, and loved photography, antique cars and jazz music. He was a Veteran of the United States Army having served from 1968 until 1970. He served as a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from December 1969 through December 1970. We was the recipient of the Expert Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and the prestigious Tomb Guard Identification Badge. He earned the rank of Sergeant. He reflected (highlights) upon his service at the Tomb, "First walk photo appeared in local newspaper on 12/2/68 (my deceased Father's date of birth), new man wreath bearer 12/25/68 with Sgt. Gordon Ellens, my RC who was the old man, and many numerous others, including the double "for the last time" guard change with Sgt. Michael Lahr with whom I entered and left the Army on the same days". He earned his Bachelor in Arts degree from Marist College, and his Masters in Business Adminstration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He served as the Chief Financial Officer for SBK Records prior to working as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Merrimac Industries in West Caldwell, New Jersey. He was a Certified Public Accountant. He was survived by his wife Cheryl Condon; sons Robert V. Condon, III. of Brooklyn, New York, and Sean Condon of New York City; step- sons Craig Pessolano of Hoboken, New Jersey, and Kevin Pessolano of Newburyport, Massachusetts; 2 grandchildren and 3 Step Grandchildren; and siblings William Condon of Hopatcong, New Jersey, Richard Condon of Whippany, New Jersey, Marie Smith of Flanders, New Jersey, and Patricia Quadrel of Whippany, New Jersey. A Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, June 15, 2012 at Blessed Kateri Church, Sparta, New Jersey. He was interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, New Jersey. Funeral arrangements by Norman Dean Funeral Home, Denville, New Jersey.Memories & Condolences
I am so very proud of my Brother Robert V. Condon, Jr. He was so proud of being a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and worn his pin with such pride. Our Mother, our Sister and my Daughter and myself went to Arlington to watch him there and were so impressed. I know he is in Heaven now watching and looking down at the Tomb Guards there. RIP Brother until we meet again someday in Heaven.
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Awards & Decorations
Tomb Guard Identification BadgeExpert Infantryman Badge
National Defense Service Medal
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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.
