Prayers for safety to those on the East Coast.

I'm still trying to recover from the weekend.  I was suppose to put in 4 miles this morning, but I was exhausted after going, going, going.  The late night Saturday did me in (am I getting old or what?).  Both yesterday morning and this morning I woke up feeling hung over and I don't drink!  I think the higher-than-normal humidity we've been experiencing and lack of my regular water intake over the two days contributed to feeling crappy.  I plan on running my 4 miles after work and not doing any transcription tonight.  Just getting into my PJ's, making granola, and relaxing.

Tet, that image doesn't appear for me.  Do others see it? If not, please repost.  Thanks.  Spareribs

...was this it??

     gah!!!!!!

...was this it??

 

From WMZQ-FM in Rockville, MD:

Just in case people forget, there are amazing soldiers standing at the Tomb through this craziness. This a picture from this morning.

That is an amazing photo Leslie and what it's representing is accurate, but it's not a current photo taken during Hurricane Sandy.  There are several false photos circulating on facebook today.

Went out for 5 miles during lunch today. It was warmer than I thought it would be out there! probably about 70 I think.

Thanks, Tammy.

I think those guys are 3rd Infantry ''The Old Guard" as opposed to Marines (?).  Either way - God bless them all.

By Luis Martinez:

An inspirational picture making the rounds on the Internet today is reminding people of the service of the elite soldiers who guard Arlington Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns in any kind of weather, even during Hurricane Sandy.   That the picture was actually taken in September is another matter, because even as Hurricane Sandy makes its way along the Eastern seaboard, soldiers are there, guarding the tomb in the fierce wind and rain.

Tomb Sentinels from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment’s “The Old Guard” have guarded the Tomb for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of the weather, since 1948.

A photo of three Tomb Sentinels standing at attention before the Tomb of the Unknowns in a driving rain in what is supposed to be Hurricane Sandy took the Internet by storm today, but it turns out the photo was actually  taken on Sept. 18.   It is one in a series taken that day by photographer Karin Markert and posted on a photo sharing site. 

Quickly becoming an Internet sensation on social media sites, the photo garnered universal positive comments of pride for the duty and commitment to service of those serving in the U.S. military.

The picture might not be from today, but it does represent the faithful duty of the Tomb Sentinels from the Old Guard who have remained at their posts during Hurricane Sandy.

See more photos of soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier HERE.

“The Old Guard has guarded the tomb minute of every day since April 6, 1948. Today will be no exception,” says an official posting on the unit’s Facebook site.

The site also includes pictures of the Sentinels protecting the Tomb today during Hurricane Sandy’s heavy rains and winds.

Spc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), keeping guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Hurricane Sandy, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. (Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.,/U.S. Army Photo/AP Photo)

A caption for one of the photos says Spc. Brett Hyde  lives by the Sentinel’s Creed which in part says “Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.”

Arlington Cemetery was closed to the general public today, but the Old Guard continued with its normal duty of honoring the fallen at funeral services.

The Sentinels  execute precise steps before the Tomb that is the final resting place for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb is a popular stop for Washington tourists.

They remain at their posts rain, snow or shine and extreme weather is not a concern.  They remained at their posts during Hurricanes Isabel and Irene as well as the 2010  blizzard, nicknamed “Snowmaggedon“, that shut down the capital for days.

Typically when it rains, Tomb Sentinels have the option of standing their watch under a green tent located to the side of the Tomb where they usually remain during wreath-laying ceremonies at the tomb.

According to the Society of The Old Guard’s website, Tomb Sentinels “are completely dedicated to their duty of guarding the Tomb. Because of that dedication, the weather does not bother them. In fact, they consider it an honor to stand their watch (we call it “walking the mat&rdquo, regardless of the weather. It gets cold, it gets hot – but the Sentinels never budge. And they never allow any feeling of cold or heat to be seen by anyone.”

The Society is an alumni association for the more than 400 soldiers who have earned the Sentinel badge since 1958.

 The website for The Society says that despite their commitment, the welfare of the soldier is never put at risk: “The Tomb Guards have contingencies that are ready to be executed IF the weather conditions EVER place the Soldiers at risk of injury or death — such as lightning, high winds, etc. This ensures that Sentinels can maintain the Tomb Guard responsibilities while ensuring soldier safety. It is the responsibility of the Chain of Command from the Sergeant of the Guard to the Regimental Commander to ensure mission accomplishment and soldier welfare at all times.”

Yeah, Leslie, I was gonna post something about the timing of that photo, but then you caught it, too. Still, seems amazing how many would take advantage of the day to post things like that under false pretenses.

Nice running, Masters! I'm too far behind to individually comment, except I've gotta say on the village... Twocat... really? Looks like the Christmas villages I see now and then, but on steroids. Or zombie juice, or something....

Glad to see OM post, I was thinking about her. 

NO run on Sunday (did I post that already? I still can't believe it), and squandered one of the last best early-winter running days I could have. Oh well. It is what it is. Today we went to work with close to 3" of new snow on the ground and more coming down. Hopefully they'll get the bikepaths plowed again soon.

I'm heading to Seattle on Saturday evening and I'll be there for a week. Got any takers for a run here or there???

Steve - I love the jello cups - great idea!

We carved our pumpkins last night too, and then set them out on the back pateo.  I'm surprised they didn't blow away last night, with the winds howling around the house.  Sandy is still having a profound effect, even for those of us this far inland.