News - Arlington National Cemetery

National dialogue begins at Arlington National Cemetery

Sat, 29 Jul 2017 13:25:14 GMT

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is at another crossroads in its history. In about twenty-five years, ANC will run out of space as an active cemetery to honor our Nation's veterans. In order to significantly extend ANC's capacity, changes to either eligibility criteria and/or expansion of the cemetery's geographic footprint are required. Through Public Law 114-58, Congress directed the Secretary of the Army to provide this report to identify the current status and inform ways to extend the life expectancy of the cemetery well into the future. The Secretary of the Army's Report to Congress identified the current status of ANC, and options of future life.

New exhibit open at Arlington National Cemetery

Tue, 30 May 2017 17:50:00 GMT

Changes are underway at Arlington National Cemetery's Welcome Center. In a joint Effort with the American Battle Monuments Commission, ANC will unveil its new World War I exhibit in an official grand opening ceremony Friday, March 31, 8 a.m.

Flags-In at Arlington National Cemetery scheduled for May 25

Thu, 11 May 2017 16:18:00 GMT

Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) will conduct Flags-In, Thursday, May 25 beginning at 1 p.m., in Arlington National Cemetery. Within four hours, more than a thousand Soldiers will place an American flag at each of the headstones and at the foot of each Columbariums to honor the more than 400,000 interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery

Tue, 09 May 2017 15:29:00 GMT

The National Memorial Day Observance to honor America's fallen service members is scheduled for Monday, May 29 at Arlington National Cemetery. The Presidential Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., followed by an observance program in Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater.

Arlington National Cemetery's Superintendent is newest Army SES

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Army welcomed the newest member to its Senior Executive Service during an induction ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery March 2, 2017.

Katharine Kelley, superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, took the oath of office during her SES pinning and induction ceremony, hosted by Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director, Army National Military Cemeteries.

Memorial service for Tuskegee Airmen, 2LT Samuel G. Leftenant

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:12:00 GMT

On April 12, 1945, while escorting bombers to Sankt Veit, Austria during World War II, two P-51 Mustangs piloted by 2nd Lt. James L. Hall Jr. and 2nd Lt. Samuel G. Leftenant (both Tuskegee Airmen) collided.

Hall bailed from his damaged P-51 before it crashed and became a prisoner of war. Leftenant was never seen again. He was reported "Missing-In-Action" on April 12, 1945 and was declared dead in 1946. 2nd Lt. Leftenant was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart.

A full military honors memorial service for 2LT Samuel G. Leftenant will be held in Memorial Section K at the north end of the cemetery, on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 9:00 AM. The service is open to the public.

Arlington National Cemetery Arboretum Awarded Level II Accreditation

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:31:00 GMT

ARLINGTON, Va. - The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum have awarded the Arlington National Cemetery Arboretum with a Level II accreditation. By achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens, Arlington National Cemetery Arboretum is now recognized as an accredited arboretum in The Morton Register of Arboreta.

"Accreditation solidifies our commitment to the preservation of our natural and cultural landscape resources and provides the opportunity to tell the stories behind the magnificent trees found here," said Stephen Van Hoven, horticulture division chief.

To commemorate this achievement and celebrate Arbor Day, Arlington hosted a free guided walking tour of its grounds and a tree planting.

The peaceful and beautiful grounds of Arlington honor the service and sacrifice of the more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families who rest here. The Arboretum includes a blend of formal and informal landscapes, dotted with more than 8,600 trees comprised of more than 300 species, cultivar or variety. The collection includes trees that pre-date the establishment of the cemetery, estimated to be between 200 and 250 years old; two state champions; a substantial set of Memorial Trees; and trees that honor Medal of Honor recipients.

To commemorate the cemetery's 150th anniversary in 2014, the historic landscape was established as the Memorial Arboretum, serving as a living memorial to those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and connecting visitors to the rich tapestry of the cemetery's living history and natural beauty.

Video about Arlington's Arboretum is available on the cemetery's YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO955GOj18I&feature=youtu.be