Changing of the Guard

The most impressive event in Arlington National Cemetery is the Changing of the Guard. The precision of the guards in their drill, honoring the deceased "known but to God" is an event not to be missed. Their concentration and dedication is palpable, and the sizable audience was completely silent in response.

Guard Mounting

Having seen the smaller squads moving into place, it was fun to watch the large squad changeover, with several portions of the two guard groups moving left and right, forward and back in time-tested formations. It reminded me again of the feeling I had at the Tower of London, the feeling of time, of age, of solidity, of permanence. The traditions of the Guard Mounting, the age of the Windsor Castle, the feeling of connection that covers a true Millennium were all highlights of the trip.

Next post will revert to a far older time and age. Meanwhile, a poem:

ONE MILLENNIUM

One thousand years is a long time for anyone, especially an American;
Next year we have plans to return to Washington and travel once again to
Mount Vernon, for instance, where George Washington live more than two
Centuries ago, a truth that inspires awe and respect to innocent spectators.
Today we visited the Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror,
Five centuries was the seat of royal power in London, built around 1080,
Nearly ten centuries ago, nearly five times the age of Mount Vernon.
Respect is still natural and still lives in our hearts for Washington, but
Perspective makes the age of this London monument truly awesome.

Changing of the Guard

We had spent a reasonably long time inside the state rooms at Windsor, following the rules against any indoor photography, when we began to walk down toward the gift shop and the parade area. As we noticed, outside the private residence area, one of the navy-clad Grenadier Guards stood at attention, on guard. We began to walk toward the chapel and came upon a squad being led by one of the Grenadier Guards but consisting of the red-tuniced Scots Guards, identifiable because there was no plume on the bearskin hat. And so we found out -- up close -- what the changing involves.

We followed the squad and watched as the group approached the guard on duty, went through the appropriate steps, and relieved that Grenadier, replacing him with one of the Scots. Off the group marched, working to drop off one of the Scots and pick up one of the Grenadiers at each post. What most people consider the "changing of the guard" -- which we will see in the next post -- is what follows. The cadre that had been on duty for the past 24 hours marches out with all the pomp and circumstance as the new cadre takes over the duty. And we had seen the preparation, as the new guards replaced the old ones one by one. The two uniforms we saw are only two of the five regiments of foot guards that rotate in and out of duty at each of the two royal residences. The other three regiments are Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, and Coldstream Guards.

What we missed at Buckingham Palace was more than replaced by what we saw and learned at Windsor.

Windsor Gates & Guards

Windsor Castle has powerful and interesting things to see in every direction. Whether a gate frames a tower or an impressive building looms up ahead or whether a guard cadre comes marching by, there is always something to see.

Of course, since we had been cancelled out of seeing a changing of the guard -- more correctly, a Guard Mounting -- at Buckingham, it was interesting to see guards uniformed in navy blue as seen here. This squad is apparently Grenadier Guards as seen my the buttons arranged singly. At the moment, it seemed that the familiar red tunics with the beaskin hats were not to be seen. On the other hand, since I had no idea at all what a "changing of the guard" entailed, I had no reason to expect the red coats or anything else. A guide told us we would be around for a changing right there at Windsor, and it was an interesting learning experience. More on the next post.