News

Wreaths Across America Clean-Up 2017

January 25, 2017

Wreaths Across America clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, beginning at approximately 8:45 a.m., in Arlington National Cemetery. All cemetery gates will open at 8 a.m.

The cemetery will be closed to vehicle traffic until 3 p.m. ANC Tours, Arlington’s interpretative bus tour, will not operate this day. This is a walking event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring refillable water bottles.

Sign-up and pre-registration is NOT required. Volunteers are encouraged to show up at the designated time and place. This is a family-oriented event and we encourage families of all ages to participate.

Schedule of Events

7 a.m. – Metro rail opens (system-wide)

8 a.m. – Arlington National Cemetery gates open.

8:30 a.m. – Volunteer briefing at McClellan located just off of Eisenhower Drive.

8:45 a.m. – Clean-up begins.

Volunteers are asked to pick up ONLY those WAA wreaths placed in December, leaving any other wreaths or decorations in place. There will be several dumpsters placed throughout the cemetery to dispose of the wreaths. We have a very limited number of dumpsters available so we ask the volunteers to pack the wreaths as tight as possible in the dumpsters and to stay available at least until noon, if possible, to help with any extra wreath disposal needed at locations throughout the cemetery.

We have found it helpful if you bring a stick, pole, rope, rake or something equivalent to support carrying multiple wreaths per dumpster trip. Please dress for the weather and wear gloves and water-proof footwear.

Parking Information

Parking is limited to vehicles with permanent ANC Family Gravesite Passes and those with valid Handicap Permits ONLY. The Welcome Center Parking Lot will open at 8 a.m., and will have free parking until 2 p.m. Any vehicles arriving before the cemetery’s opening at 8 a.m., will be required to depart and return at 8 a.m.

There is public parking available in the Eads, Fern and Joyce lots. The Eads, Fern and Joyce lots are each about the same distance to the south Service Complex gate (the gate between the Air Force and Pentagon Memorials).

For safety reasons, no general public vehicles/ANC Family passes/Disability vehicles are allowed inside Arlington National Cemetery until 3 p.m.

Metro Information

Because of the large number of volunteers and lack of adequate parking, participants are highly encouraged to take Metro.

Metro stops:

1) Arlington Cemetery: Blue Line; Cemetery entrance: Main -- Follow signs to enter Visitor Center main gate.

2) Rosslyn: Orange and Blue Lines; Cemetery entrance: Ord & Weitzel (.7 mi) -- Follow signs to Iwo Jima Memorial. Continue south downhill toward cemetery. Entrance is an iron gate across the street from the end of the Iwo Jima Memorial access road.

3) Pentagon: Yellow and Blue Lines; Cemetery entrance: south Service Complex (.7 mi) -- Follow signs to Pentagon Memorial. Go west under S. Washington Blvd. Gate on right, off Columbia Pike, downhill from the Air Force Memorial.

4) Pentagon City: Yellow and Blue Lines; Cemetery entrance: south Service Complex (.9 mi) -- Follow signs to the Pentagon Memorial. Cross under I-395 pedestrian tunnel. Go west under S. Washington Blvd. Gate on right, off Columbia Pike, downhill from the Air Force Memorial.

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America Clean Up

Inauguration 2017 Road Closures

January 17, 2017

With the Presidential Inauguration around the corner, visitors to Arlington National Cemetery can expect congestion, delays and detours leading up to Inauguration Day. The best way to get to Inaugural events is to take public transportation, bike or walk. There is no long-term parking in at Arlington National Cemetery. Be sure to plan ahead.

Jan. 19, 2017, Bridge Closures that may affect ANC Access

Bridge Restrictions

Memorial Bridge

•Restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only starting at 7 a.m. on January 19.

Advice for the Day

•Be prepared for congestion, delays and detours.

•Heavy volume is expected on roads, bridges and highways across the region.

•If you must drive, be sure to have a full tank of gas before you leave, or you may become stranded while waiting in traffic.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jan. 20, 2017, Road & Bridge Closures on Inauguration Day

You can expect congestion, delays and detours on Inauguration Day.

•Best way to get to Inaugural events: take public transportation (expanded service), bike or walk.

•No long term parking in Arlington. Be sure to plan ahead.

Road Closures and Restrictions

I-395

•I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 3 a.m. on January 20. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound at the end of the Inaugural address.

•I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic.

Bridge Restrictions

14th Street Bridge; Teddy Roosevelt Bridge

•All traffic will be diverted by MPD onto the Southeast/Southwest freeway beginning at 5:30 a.m.

•Traffic coming across the Roosevelt Bridge will be diverted into northbound Potomac River Expressway to Pennsylvania Avenue or Whitehurst Freeway/K Street.

Key Bridge; Chain Bridge

•Open to all traffic

Memorial Bridge (Complete)

•Restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only starting at 5 a.m.

Advice for the Day

•Be prepared for congestion, delays and detours.

•Heavy volume is expected on roads, bridges and highways across the region.

•If you must drive, be sure to have a full tank of gas before you leave, or you may become stranded while waiting in traffic.

Inauguration

Presidential Inauguration

Traffic and Road Closures

Veterans Day Media Events at Arlington National Cemetery

October 21, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Veterans Day Media Events at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery developing options to extend the life of the cemetery

August 30, 2016

The Honor Subcommittee, part of the Advisory Committee for Arlington National Cemetery met on Aug. 23 to discuss alternatives to extend the life of active burials at Arlington well into the future.

In response to Public Law 114-158, ANC is currently developing a report to Congress which outlines options that the Secretary of the Army may consider to keep the cemetery open for first rments and inurnments until well into the future. The options being considered include: continuing with the existing eligibility, expansion options, and changing eligibility.

If the cemetery continues with its current interment and inurnment rate, it will run out of space for first interments and inurnments within the next 25 years.

The report is due to Congress mid-November.

Established within the charter of the Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery, the Honor Subcommittee provides an independent assessment of methods to address the long-term future of the Army national cemeteries, including how best to extend the active burials and what ANC should focus on once all available space is used.

The Honor Subcommittee also addresses the current eligibility requirements for interment and inurnment at ANC to ensure that recommendations serve and protect the interests of all service members and veterans, surviving family members, and the American public. Difficult choices need to be made regarding how ANC can continue to serve our Nation's veterans and their families well into the future. Now is the time to consider these options.

Turf Renovations Underway

June 06, 2016

Arlington National Cemetery annually renovates more than 30 acres of turf. This process involves removing the old turf and weeds, tilling the soil, grading the grave sites, and planting new grass from seed. Each year the Horticulture Division assigns sections for renovation as needed. The long term result will be a much healthier, thicker turf and ground that is much more level.

Renovations this year will take place in parts of sections 7, 17, and 18, as well as all of sections 19, 22, 23, 24, and 46. For the next several weeks, you will notice signs and work being performed in these sections.

Please limit walking in these areas as much as possible, but feel free to continue to visit and leave flowers at grave sites in these sections.

Arlington National Cemetery announces its 2016 schedule of special narrated tours

June 03, 2016

Arlington National Cemetery’s History Office developed a series of informative lectures and tours that highlight the history of the United States through the eyes of its heroes buried at Arlington and the military conflicts that shaped the cemetery and the nation. The tours are narrated by Arlington National Cemetery historians and free of charge. Registration is required through Eventbrite. All tours start at Welcome Center at Arlington National Cemetery and require some walking. Women in Military Service Date: March 18, 2016 Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Start Location: Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center

ANC Policy regarding Pokemon Go & other smartphone gaming

June 01, 2016

Out of respect for all those interred at Arlington National Cemetery, we require the highest level of decorum from our guests and visitors. Playing games such as “Pokemon Go” on these hallowed grounds would not be deemed appropriate. We request that visitors to ANC refrain from such activity.

Thank you.

Roses to Honor Fallen Troops Available on Memorial Day

May 26, 2016

National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery

May 09, 2016

The 148th annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members is scheduled for Monday, May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater. A prelude by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

Both the wreath-laying ceremony and the observance program are free and open to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend these events. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to be at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the amphitheater by 9:30 a.m.

Free parking is available for vehicles in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center’s parking lot from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to the Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to the welcome center until 2 p.m.

Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the ceremony. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, screwdrivers (or similar tools), air horns, personal protection sprays, and insulated beverage containers.

Clear plastic water bottles are permitted.

NOTE: DoD identification card holders will not be permitted to walk from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall into the cemetery. Instead, they must park their vehicles on post and board a free shuttle bus at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. The shuttle service is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to Fort Myer Memorial Chapel.

For more information, send an email to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@mail.mil or call 202-685-4645.

Southern Expansion Project Public Scoping Meeting

April 28, 2016

On Wednesday, April 27, 2016, a Public Scoping Meeting was held to discus the proposed Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) Southern Expansion Project and Associated Roadway Realignment in Arlington County.

ANC is proposing to increase its contiguous acreage by utilizing an area adjacent to the existing cemetery, the former Navy Annex site, now known as the Southern Expansion site. To accomplish this, the cemetery has been working with the owners and operators of the adjacent road network, Arlington County and VDOT, to pursue a roadway realignment and land exchange agreement.

For more information visit the project website:
www.nao.usace.army.mil/…/militaryconst…/ANCSouthernExpansion

Scoping comments may be submitted until May 31, 2016, at SouthernExpansion@usace.army.mil