IOOF Canton Allentown #39 Patriarchs Militant

We remember our fellow Chevalier, Peter T. Patterson, U.S. Army Veteran and dedicated Odd Fellow

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown? All three missed it. T...omb of the Unknown Soldier 1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. 2. How long does he wait after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as above. 3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. 4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. 5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. 6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. God Bless and Keep Them I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many people as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. Duty - Honor - Country IN GOD WE TRUST with Herbert F Wieland.

On Saturday, November 2nd, before our PM Rally in Walker Hall, Philadelphia, the Chevaliers and Ladies of the Department Council and Department Association of P...ennsylvania paused to pay respects to those who passed away this past year. Of note were: LTC(R) Richard L. Heffner, Quartermaster & Inspector Retired Canton York #14 APP Lady Nancy Gallo-Strausser, IALAPM Past Appointed officer - Canton & Auxiliary Philadelphia #1 Lady Catherine "Sis Brenneman" York Auxiliary #14 Chevalier Peter T. Patterson, Canton Allentown #39 Lady Mary Uschak, Meadville Auxiliary #47 The hats used for the memorial service belonged to LTC Heffner and APP Gallo-Strausser

On November 2nd, the PM/LAPM Rally was held at Walker Hall, Philadelphia. The Department Council was proud to muster in four new Chevaliers, William O'Hara into... Canton Philadelphia #1, Bobby Jackson into Canton Leesport #2, Kyle Speer into Canton Ridgely #8 and Allen Moyer into Canton York #14. There were Chevaliers from all 7 Cantons in Pennsylvania present, as well as Chaplain General David Young, General Commanding retired Joseph Strausser and President of the IALAPM Jami Rafter. Jami and Dept Commander Justin Bailey also presented five First Class Proficiency Medals to: William Hanby #1, David Young #5, Shawn Miller #5, Nicole Inama #39 and Jim Keller #14 See more

On November 9th, the Officers of Canton Allentown No. 39, Patriarchs Militant, I.O.O.F., took to the streets to participate in the Tamaqua Veterans Day Parade. The honor guard consisted of Brigadier General (R) Justin Bailey, Captain William Hanby, Lieutenant Rory King, Accountant Tyler Arnold, clerk Captain Nicole Inama and our mascot Kenny Bailey.

The heads of the five branches of PA were present for the 86th Annual wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, VA. Pictured Left to Right...: - Brigadier General, Department Commander, Justin C. Bailey - Grand Patriarch, Tyler M. Arnold - Grand Master, Sherman F. Wooden - Rebekah Assembly President, Nadine Hager - President of the LAPM, Katie Walters

Members of the Patriarchs Militant spent part of their Memorial Day marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Tamaqua. Pictured are (from left) Department C...ommander Justin Bailey, Grand Patriarch Tyler Arnold, Department Chaplain Nicole Inama, and Department Color Sergeant Bill Hanby. Leading the group down the parade is "Tamaqua's littlest Odd Fellow" Kenny Bailey See more

Brig. Gen. Justin C. Bailey had an official visit to Canton Philadelphia No. 1, Patriarchs Militant in late May. This Canton is home to Gen (R) Joseph Strausser.... Canton Philadelphia No. 1 is the oldest canton in the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania whose charter is signed by the founder of the Patriarchs Militant, John C. Underwood. This is also the only Canton that has two charters - one from the Grand Encampment of Patriarchs prior to the formation of the Department Council, being known as "the Uniform Degree Camp", in 1882, and one from the Department Council in 1886. This Canton recently brought in several new members and is doing great. They meet the 4th Thursday of the month in Philadelphia. See more

Canton Allentown’s banner returns back home! It is placed up front with Canton Bethlehem #13, who consolidated with Allentown years ago.

Those of you that know Grand Secretary Bailey, know he has quite the affinity for "rooting" around lodge halls he visits. On Tuesday March 5, he finally hit the... jackpot on the top floor of Victory Lodge in Sellersville. Pictured below is the banner of Canton Allentown No.39 found in pristine condition. At the end of the night, Victory Lodge graciously allowed the banner to be returned home to Canton Allentown. Pictured holding the banner with Brigadier General Bailey is Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Torrence, both of Canton Allentown No.39 See more