0009
Joseph S. Zachwieja Jr.
Tomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Jun 1960 - Jul 1961Society Membership
Lifetime MemberObituary
J.S. Zachwieja, Jr., 80, of Fairfield Harbour, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Grantsbrook Nursing Home in Grantsboro after a long illness. Zach was born in 1934 in Philadelphia, PA. He entered the U.S. Army Infantry in 1951 and served combat tours in Korea and twice in Vietnam where he was awarded two purple hearts and a bronze star. From June 1960 to July 1961, with the 3rd infantry, he was the Platoon leader (Officer-in-Charge) of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. As a Lt. Col. he retired in 1972 after 21 years of service. He moved to New Bern (FFH) in 1987 to play golf and enjoy his retirement. He is survived by his wife Patricia "Patty", elder daughter Theresa Cohen of Philadelphia, PA, son Stephen Joseph Zachwieja of Redmond, WA, daughter Alexa Hook of Chesapeake, VA, and six grandchildren.Memories & Condolences
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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.
