News

Memorial Drive to close in front of Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater on Sept. 1, 2012

August 30, 2012
Memorial Drive between Porter and Farragut Drives will be closed for construction and re-paving from Sept. 1, 2012 to Nov. 1, 2012. Arlington National Cemetery is replacing and upgrading waterlines and storm drainage along Memorial Drive. In addition to repaving Memorial Drive, new curbs will be installed and the flagstone walkway replacement will continue in the area. There will be access to the Memorial Amphitheater and restrooms, the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, the Columbia and Challenger Memorials, and the Iran Rescue Memorial. Construction is planned to be complete by November 1, 2012. During construction, ANC Tours shuttle, Honor Flights, along with other groups, will pick-up and drop-off passengers near the Farragut and Wilson intersection. Disabled parking will be re-located to near the Mast of the USS Maine on the outbound side of Sigsbee Drive and Section 7A along Roosevelt Drive.

Arlington to restore historic gates for future use

August 27, 2012
Arlington National Cemetery is working with a Seattle-based team of forensic and preservation experts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Curation and Archives Analysis Branch, St. Louis District, to assess the condition and restore the historic stone columns that were once used for the Ord-Weitzel and Sheridan Gates. The gates were used as the cemetery’s entrances on its eastern boundary for near 100 years.

Monument in Arlington’s Visitors Center gets a fresh look

July 25, 2012
Minor upkeep is underway on the sculpture located in Arlington National Cemetery’s Visitors Center.

Heroes Remembered: Defense Department to Mark the 59th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

July 24, 2012
Arlington, Virginia - The Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee announced today its efforts to reach out to Korean War Veterans and their families across the country and encourage them to join a commemorative program celebrating the 59th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. The program, titled Heroes Remembered, is open to the public and will take place on July 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery. The event will be streamed online starting at 8:30 a.m.,at http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/2511.

Arlington sets monumentation for future gravesites in Section 55

July 16, 2012
Arlington National Cemetery has surveyed and marked future gravesite locations in Section 55 to accommodate in ground interment of caskets and urns. Section 55 along Eisenhower Drive has been designated to accommodate casketed remains. Survey crews measured the section and set blank headstones in unoccupied gravesites as guides to ensure the precise alignment of headstones. The guides will be removed as people are buried in these locations.

Arlington National Cemetery Storm Damage

July 03, 2012
As a result of the severe weather on Friday, June 29, 2012, Arlington National Cemetery suffered storm damage comparable to Hurricane Irene. Arlington National Cemetery continues to assess the extent of the damage and has started on the restoration.

Road Closures for the July 4th Holiday

June 29, 2012
The Arlington County Police Department will close a number of roads around Arlington National Cemetery.

Construction begins on improvements at the Senator Edward Kennedy gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery

June 22, 2012
A construction project to improve access to Senator Edward M. Kennedy gravesite is under way at Arlington National Cemetery. The project will connect Senator Kennedy’s gravesite to the gravesites of Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy with a granite path. Visitors currently have to exit the stepped path from the RFK gravesite to visit Senator Kennedy’s gravesite. The new path will be constructed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act accessible design standards.

Construction begins on improvements at the Senator Edward Kennedy gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery

June 22, 2012
ARLINGTON, Va. – A construction project to improve access to Senator Edward M. Kennedy gravesite is under way at Arlington National Cemetery. The project will connect Senator Kennedy’s gravesite to the gravesites of Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy with a granite path. Visitors currently have to exit the stepped path from the RFK gravesite to visit Senator Kennedy’s gravesite. The new path will be constructed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act accessible design standards.
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Arlington National Cemetery precautions in extreme temperatures

June 20, 2012
Many of the daily activities at Arlington National Cemetery occur outdoors and the grounds of Arlington are a popular tourist destination. In extreme temperatures, Arlington National Cemetery takes great care to ensure that its employees and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against the elements. Currently, the greater DC area is experiencing extreme heat. Arlington National Cemetery urges visitors to remain hydrated, limit time outdoors, rest frequently and recognize some of the early signs of heat-related illness such as: -- headache -- dizziness -- confusion or disorientation -- mood swings -- rapid heart rate -- chills. There are water fountains located in the Visitor's Center. Water fountains are located near the JFK gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Bottled water is available for purchase at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Outdoor operations, such as lawn care and general maintenance of the cemetery grounds, begin in the early morning hours. Arlington National Cemetery conducts an average of 27 funeral services a day. Arlington National Cemetery does not postpone funerals services because of inclement weather. A service may be delayed for brief periods if it presents a safety hazard (i.e. thunder and lightning) and is expected to clear. During extreme heat, services are conducted as scheduled, but military services may limit the amount of marching or may restrict the use of the caisson.