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Arlington National Cemetery
January 22, 2011
By Maisie Rodenbaugh
Arlington National Cemetery is located in Arlington County, Virginia. It is one of two National cemeteries that is administrated by the Army. The Soldiers and Airmen’s Home is located in Washington DC.
On June 15, 1864, Arlington Mansion ,which was surrounded by 200 acres, was made available for the beginning of the Memorial Amphitheater and the cemetery. Judge Kimball campaigned for this facility to be built and Congress authorized the construction on March 1, 1915. Judge Kimball did not live to see his dream completed. He passed away on May 15, 1915. The Amphitheater was completed May 15, 1920 The Amphitheater is the place where all official services are held free to honor all American Service Members.
President Woodrow Wilson placed the cornerstone on October 15, 1915. One copy of 15 items were placed in the box at the cornerstone that day.The items were the Bible, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution US Flag(1915), Designs for the Amphitheater, L’Enfant’s map design map of Washington, DC, Autograph of the commission, one each of each US coin in use in 1915, one of each postage stamp used in 1915, 1914 map of Washington DC, Congressional Directory, Boyd’s Directory for District of Columbia, autograph photo of W. Wilson cornerstone dedication program, Evening Star newspaper account of the ceremonies and campaign to build the Amphitheater.
William H. Taft and John F. Kennedy are the only Presidents buried in Arlington cemetery.
5000 visitors yearly attend 3 major annual services. Easter, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. These services are sponsored by US Army Military District, Washington DC. Four million people visit the Cemetery annually and 100 funeral services are held each week.
There are two Eternal Flames in the cemetery, one at the grave of JFK and at The Memorial for the USS Maine, a ship that was
sunk in a port in Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898. 163 men perished at this sight. The ship was surfaced and returned to the United States on December 28, 1899.
There are two Veteran’s organization that are invited every year to place wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown. The Military Order of The Cooties Pup Tents and its Auxiliary. This is nationwide for our members This ceremony is held on the first Saturday in November annually. The Gold Mothers is the other
The members are mothers who have lost children in wars. There will be free Honor Flights for WWII Veterans again this spring and fall.
It requires an application and they can be found on the internet or contact a Veteran’s organization. Don’t miss this opportunity to go to Arlington Cemetery.
If you need walkers or wheelchairs, you can take those with you. There will be people to help.
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