During the searing summer heat of 2024, visitors to Arlington National Cemetery fanned themselves and sought shade. The Tomb Guards, meanwhile, were undeterred by the high temperatures. They conducted their 24/7 duty to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, walking smartly in front of the Tomb wearing their black shoes, long slacks, white gloves, wool blouses and service caps.
“Guards walking the mat get little shade,” said Commander of the Guard Capt. Henry Newstrom. “When the sun is shining, the black mat radiates heat onto the Guards, while the white marble on Memorial Plaza reflects even more heat.” According to Newstrom, when it’s 105 degrees in the cemetery, it can be well over 115 degrees on the plaza.
Although the Guards may seem impervious to the heat, they work hard to mitigate heat factors. The Sergeant of the Guard ensures that the Guards drink plenty of water and eat healthy meals. They coordinate with each other so that no one walks back-to-back shifts and stock the freezer in the Tomb Quarters with cups of ice to rub on their hands, wrists and necks—or, for quick relief, they supply immersion buckets filled with ice water. “Of course, the most effective measure for cooling down is taking off the uniform between walks,” Newstrom said.
“The chest and the face are the hottest parts for me,” Spc. Trace Maxwell explained, after recently coming off the plaza. He wears compression shirts and pants to stay cool. Maxwell also noted that he prefers walking the mat in the heat instead of standing in the single-person green tent on the north side of the plaza—known as “the box”—for shade. “The box is probably hotter than the plaza,” he said. “You’re not going to get much breeze through the box’s window. You’re better off walking the mat and getting that warm breeze.”
As Maxwell spoke, Sgt. Kaylee Johnston marched into the Tomb Quarters, having just walked her shift. Sweat covered her face. “My head is the hottest because of my hair,” she said. “I’m not used to wearing hats.” With the temperature in the Tomb Quarters a cool 68 degrees, she did not remove her blouse or gloves while speaking to her fellow Guards.
Assistant Sergeant of the Guard Staff Sgt. Justin Zimla helps ensure that the Guards take care of themselves. “It’s very motivating for Guards to push themselves to the limit for the Unknowns in this heat,” he explained, “so we have to say, ‘you need to drink water’ or ‘you need to take these risk mitigations.’”
Sergeant of the Guard Sgt. First Class Andrew Jay emphasized that the Guards walk their shifts professionally despite the heat. “It’s just another testament to what these soldiers put their bodies through for the mission,” he proudly concluded.
