"Sentinel" | Now Streaming on Amazon
2 years ago

My recent documentary, “Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty”, has officially released sooner than expected and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video! It can be seen in the US and UK, and DVDs are available at www.WalkingTheMat.com. I am grateful and humbled.
I began this project in 2020 to document and celebrate my father, Dr. Charles Garrison. Dad served as a Tomb Guard for seven months in 1961. I planned to combine his memories with my grandfather’s 1961 original film footage of the Tomb. However, the journey quickly exceeded my expectations when I met Jeff Gottesfeld, author of "Twenty-One Steps", and Fred Moore, the first African American Tomb Guard in US History. My friend, West Point alum Nancy Preston, generously shared a personal and non-Sentinel military perspective of the Old Guard. Later, the US Department of Defense granted me exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Tomb Guard Quarters at Arlington National Cemetery. At the Tomb, I was introduced to 1LT Andrew Katz, SGT Troy Leister, and SGT Gabriel Silva. I am profoundly grateful for each person involved and the contribution they graciously made to this film.
Unfortunately, my father passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. He had helped guide the direction of the film and had seen a late draft of it. He loved this film and was very proud of my work.
I am forever proud of him.
Thank you for your interest in this film and I hope it adequately honors the special men and women who Walk the Mat.
Sincerely,
Phil Garrison
Director, “Sentinel: Inside the Sacred Duty”
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Did you know?
How long does the Sentinel hesitate after the facing movement to begin the return walk? Is the rifle carried on the same shoulder all the time?
The Sentinel does not execute an about face, rather they stop on the 21st step, then turn and face the Tomb for 21 seconds. They then turn to face back down the mat, change the weapon to the outside shoulder, mentally count off 21 seconds, then step off for another 21 step walk down the mat. They face the Tomb at each end of the 21 step walk for 21 seconds. The Sentinel then repeats this over and over until the the Guard Change ceremony begins.