If you are in Athens on a Sunday, you should definitely make your way to the Syntagma Square at 11:00 am for the changing of the guards. Although the changing of the guards happens every day at 11:00, the performance on Sunday has more participants and more elaborate uniforms. There can be large crowds, so you might want to arrive a little early to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which sits in the square outside of the Parliament Building and the Presidential Mansion.
Stoic GuardStart of the Ceremonial Changing of the GuardsHonoring the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierMarching in Front of the Tomb
The guards are part of a special military unit called the Evzones and are carefully chosen for the honor to participate based upon their height, fitness, and character. Prior to the start of the ceremonial changing, the guards stand perfectly still and emotionless, very similar to the guards at Buckingham Palace in London. The guards make very dramatic, synchronized movements as the new guards trade places with the previous guards. The special uniforms that the guards where adds to the pageantry of the performance, which is beautiful and somber at the same time.
Synchronized MovementsPerforming in Front of a Large CrowdParliamentary BuildingDramatic High Stepping
Having had the opportunity to see both the changing of the guards in London as well as at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery outside of Washington D.C., it was definitely an experience that rivaled either of those, although they are very different. If you have the opportunity to see this very unique ceremony, it will be an experience that you will always remember. There is something truly special about watching members of the military honoring those soldiers who have given their lives to protect their native lands.
Changing of the Guards at Buckingham PalaceTomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington CemeteryLeaving Their PostsPerfectly Synchronized
There are a lot of traits that inspire admiration from us and a lot of other people. Loyalty, courage, self-sacrifice, and humility are just a few. So, when we think of the people we admire, our first thoughts go to the people who are willing to put themselves in danger to protect the rest of us. We have friends and family that serve in the military and police and we have tremendous admiration for the sacrifices that they’ve made over the years. Firemen are in that same category, they rush into danger when others are running out.
Fire Trucks and HosesAfter the FireTrucks on the Street
A few years ago, there was a house-fire just down the street from us. It happened to be right after the Waldo Canyon Fire here in Colorado Springs that had burned down hundreds of homes. The fear of what damage a fire could do was definitely fresh on our minds. These heroes swiftly and calmly went to work and put out the fire. So, to all those who put the lives of others in front of their own, we thank you and have the deepest respect for what you do.
We’re not talking about mountain lions, hawks, or some other wild animal, we’re talking about NORAD and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. If you ever drive through Colorado Springs, when you get to the south end of town, past Pikes Peak, you’ll likely notice a large group of antennas on the peaks of the southern-most mountains in the range. That is the only sign that the group of men and women who constantly scan the skies in search of any incoming threats to the United States or Canada reside inside Cheyenne Mountain. The complex is literally inside of the mountain. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers, tunnels were dug into the granite mountain in order to protect the facility from any potential air attack. Today, April 15th, the site is celebrating its 50th anniversary of being fully operational.
Picture of the North-Portal – Taken from NORAD’s WebsiteView from Cheyenne Mountain over Colorado SpringsView Looking North from Cheyenne Mountain
NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense, was created at the height of cold war to detect potential nuclear weapons being launched by Russia at the United States. These days, their work is somewhat more difficult as they monitor for potential aircrafts that might be in the control of terrorists and not following predetermined flight paths, ready to scramble jets at a minutes notice. Today the facility also houses US Northern Command, USNORTHCOM, but most of the daily operations are run from Peterson Air Force Base, located in southern Colorado Springs. Every now and again, when terrorist threats are high, residents of Colorado Springs are reminded of the potential threat to the mostly quiet city as it is home to both NORAD and the Air Force Academy. We don’t have any pictures of the antennas on top of the mountain because, well, frankly it isn’t that interesting, you can imagine what a bunch of tall antennas look like.
View of the Prestigious Broadmoor Hotel from Cheyenne MountainAnother View Looking NorthAnother View of Southern Colorado Springs
NORAD isn’t all seriousness and dread, however. NORAD also sponsors “NORAD tracks Santa” every year on Christmas Eve where children from around the world can call in or go online and find out the current location of Santa Claus as he flies around the world in his sleigh delivering gifts. In fact, for several years, we volunteered and answered phones, letting children know that Santa would be arriving soon and that they needed to go to bed soon. Legend has it that Sears Department Store mistakenly put in the number for NORAD in a local paper and when they started receiving calls, the staff decided to tell the children Santa’s location and the tradition was born. The truth is probably slightly different, but the end result is the same, children are thrilled with the thought that Santa is real and that our elite defense group is keeping their eyes on him, making sure he can safely deliver gifts.
That’s Us Answering Calls from ChildrenSanta Track Operations CenterMore People Answering Phones
Regardless of your thoughts on the military, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is truly a unique and interesting piece of history hidden in the hillsides of Colorado Springs. The work that they do on a daily basis to keep us all safe should be complimented and appreciated. We wish them a happy anniversary for providing 50 years of service in the tunnels below the mountain.
