Please get in touch to offer comments and join our mailing list for sales and specials!
You can e-mail us at:
Punish The Deed, Not The Breed
In this area, I will include any links related to my business or that I think
will interest my customers. I may also provide links to other interesting shops you may want to visit
ENVY Kennels
Kold Blue kennels
absolute edge kennels
Images N Thangs
Party Time D.J., Karaoke, & Recording Services
Leisure Travel
Images N Thangs Store
The Arch of Sabers or Swords is an old tradition, the passage through the Arch symbolizes the welcoming and safe transition
into the couples new life together.
For the most part the Arch of Sabers or Swords is similar with each Branch of Service. The Arch is preformed by Uniformed
Military personnel, which will normally be your ushers (except the Air Force - please read below). The Arch takes place immediately
following the ceremony, when the couple leaves the Chapel. In some instances the Arch can be preformed inside the Chapel,
due to bad weather or a request to have two Arch of Sabers. This must be discussed with your Chaplain and approved before
the ceremony.
The Arch of Sabers or Swords can be performed by Officers from a near by Military Academy, the National Guard, you or your
fiancés peers and your chosen ushers if in the Military Service and Officers. You can check with you or your fiancés Commander
to arrange for this service.
Below you will find each Branch and its regulations on the use of The Arch of Sabers or Swords. Within the next week we will
be adding individual pages for each Branch of Service, after we have conducted our interviews with the Commanders and Chaplains.
With the changing face of the Military we are finding some Branches to be more lenient of its regulations. We want to keep
everyone up to date and feel the most reliable source is to speak directly to those in charge. If you have any questions
or need clarification right away please contact us and we will do everything we can to assist. Thank you.
Air Force and Army- Saber
The ceremony is customarily done with six ushers or saber bearers and must be uniformed Officers.
The ceremony takes place as follows;
Form two lines. The person positioned as the last person in the left line is generally the person that will give the commands
and introduce the bride and groom. The person positioned as the first person in the right line is the one who will welcome
the bride to the Army or Air Force.
Commands are as follows;
Carry Sabers - to be done at the shoulder.
Forward March - the service members will now position themselves outside the chapel (if stairs are present starting at the
top, at every other step).
Halt Center Face - turn and face the center.
The bride will be escorted by the groom on his right, when they approach the first step or uniformed member they will stop.
The person positioned in the top left will introduce the bride and groom then give the following commands;
Present Sabers - bring saber to chin.
Arch Sabers - they will fully extend their right arm, rotating the wrist in a counter clockwise direction turning the cutting
edge of the saber up.
The only persons that will walk under the Arch will be the bride and groom. After the bride and groom pass through the Arch
they will pause under the last saber. The saber bearers on the end will now close sabers by bringing them down to cross at
the waist level of the bride and groom. The saber bearer at the bottom right will then give a gentle "swat" to the brides
behind and say "Welcome to the (Army or Air Force) Mrs.__". This step is omitted if the bride is in the Military.
Ending Commands are;
Present Sabers - to the chin.
Order Sabers - Saber blade down at the right toe.
Carry Sabers - at the shoulder.
Left and Right Face - facing command.
Forward March - movement command.
*Noted difference for the Air Force - In the Air Force the saber bearers can not perform the function of an usher, as they
are able in the other branches of service.
Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy - Sword
The ceremony is virtually the same except for the commands.
The ceremony takes place as follows;
Form two lines. The person positioned as the last person in the left line which is also the head usher is generally the person
that will give the commands and introduce the bride and groom. The person positioned as the first person in the right line
is the one who will welcome the bride to the Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy.
Commands are as follows;
Officers Draw Swords - done in a continuous motion, tips touching.
The bride and groom will then pass through the Arch and pause for a moment for the welcoming.
Officers Return - swords then brought to the position of present arms. The sword is returned to the scabbard all but about
three inches. The final return to the scabbard is done in unison, returning home in a single click.
|