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North Georgia soldier guards Tomb of the Unknowns
Army Sgt. McCann took part in Veterans Day ceremony with vice president
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Vice President Joe Biden and Army Sgt. 1st Class Devin McCann, Sergeant of the Guard, 3rd Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, place a wreath Nov. 11 at the Tomb of the Unkowns in honor of Veterans' Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. McCann's parents live in White County. - photo by Alex Brandon

When Sgt. 1st Class Devin McCann was young, his parents say they pulled him out of a military school because he was getting too wrapped up in the military and not focusing on his academics.

They probably had no idea that years later that love of the military would lead their son to the high honor of guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, D.C.

Since June, McCann has been doing the job, walking 21 steps, stopping for 21 seconds and repeating, honoring the unknown soldiers buried there who represent so many others killed defending the United States.

McCann is platoon sergeant for the tomb guards, who are members of the 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as The Old Guard. The group is the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president.

McCann's parents, who live in White County, couldn't be prouder.

"We were quite honored," his mother, Barbara McCann, said of learning that her son had gotten the opportunity. "It's really a very, very high honor for him to have that position and just be able to do the things that he's able to do and accomplish. And we're just very proud of him."

Devin McCann, who grew up in the Millegeville area but often visited White County with his parents, moved to the D.C. area after returning from a tour in Iraq, where he received the Bronze Star. He served for a time as a drill instructor at Fort Benning.

Once in Virginia, he worked as a drill master. But when approached about the job at the tomb, he jumped at it.

"I was really excited," he said. "Honestly, for me to give back to what the unknowns have given up, being their lives and stuff, no identities."

But the path to the job isn't easy. McCann, who has served in the military for almost 18 years, described the training as "pretty intense."

There are 17 pages of knowledge he had to learn, such as the names and locations of more than 150 high-ranking officials buried at Arlington National Cemetery, 12 poems and, of course, the routine to guard the tomb. He had to pass five tests, each getting harder and requiring a higher level of accuracy.

Now his typical routine is to work one day on, one day off. Work starts at 5 a.m. He makes sure the quarters are clean, the shift changes and then he readies for the guard changes that draw tourists year-round.

The first guard change is at 8 a.m. During the winter, it changes each hour; during the summer, it changes every half hour.

Sometimes he gets to take part in major ceremonies like the one for Veterans Day, which included Vice President Joe Biden.

"That was pretty amazing," McCann said, though it wasn't the first time he's been around such dignitaries. "I've done a couple of ceremonies with President Bush when Queen Elizabeth came to the United States."

His parents, John and Barbara McCann, watched the ceremony on TV.

"Oh, that was exciting for us," Barbara McCann said "... We're just so proud, and it actually brought tears to our eyes to see him doing that. ..."

The McCanns haven't yet seen their son in action guarding the tomb, but they have seen the changing of the guard before.

"It is amazing ... there's a long history to that," Barbara McCann said. "The 21 seconds and the 21 steps and everything is done that way. It's just remarkable."

Devin McCann will guard the tomb for 15 to 18 months. In February 2013, he'll retire from the military. From there, the husband and father of five said with a laugh that he's really not sure what he'll do. But the time spent guarding the tomb likely will leave its mark.