October 2020 – Bells of Peace Phone Application
8 months ago
Veterans Day and the National Salute are just around the corner. The United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars (formerly the World War I Centennial Commission) partnered with us in 2017 on the concept of ringing bells during the National Salute, and created the Bells of Peace phone application for the public to use during the National Salute, as well as for any ceremony where bells would be appropriate but unable to have on hand.
The new versions of the Bells of Peace application can be found by visiting their website, and we encourage everybody to use the application during planned community events on Veterans Day this year.
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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.
