Last walk gives specialist mixed feelings Pfc.
After 205 walks and 115 guard changes, Specialist Jason N. Vincent posted his orders and paid final respects to the Tomb of the Unknowns at the Arlington National Cemetery August 11, 1998. Originally assigned to the Caisson Platoon at Fort Myer, Vincent was influenced to volunteer for a position as a tomb guard by his best friend, Specialist John Fader. He underwent a nine-month period of training drilling and practicing. With more than 10 months of experience at the Tomb under his ceremonial belt, Vincent surrendered his gloves, glove stays and sunglasses to his non-commissioned officer in charge, Sergeant Richard K. Cline, and carefully placed single red roses in front of the World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War tombs before taking his last walk. Before his last walk, Vincent said he was nervous the first time he walked in front of a large crowd.