Gary Robertson
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Jun 1961 - May 1962Society Membership
Lifetime MemberObituary
Gary Robertson, 73, of Mt. Rainier, Maryland, passed from our world surrounded by his family on April 21, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer. Gary was born June 11, 1940 in Washington, DC and grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland. Gary attended Northwestern High School, where he was a star athlete and Washington Metropolitan area wrestling champion. Following high school, Gary spent several years in the US Army as a paratrooper, ranger and ultimately a relief commander guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Gary graduated from the University of Maryland and taught high school English for several years before turning to a career in accounting. Gary loved to hike and camp and had a passion for art, music and photography. During the last decades of his life, Gary and his wife turned selflessly to the care of children born with severe handicaps, initially as foster parents and ultimately as adoptive parents. Gary is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Daniel Robertson; and his adopted daughter, Anna Herres. Gary is survived by his wife, Abigail Herres; his first wife, JoAnn Robertson and their three children Mark Robertson, Dawn Coapstick (Bryan) and Paul Robertson; his adopted children Alfreda and Kentrell Herres; and his grandchildren Tyler and Rachel Coapstick.Memories & Condolences
He was a close & good friend of mine & my family. He was a good man and I think of him quite often.... LOVE YOU GARY
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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.
