News

U.S. Air Force Memorial Temporary Closure

Beginning on or about Nov. 2, 2026, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and surrounding area will temporarily close to all visitors to support ongoing utilities and construction work associated with Arlington National Cemetery’s Southern Expansion project.

Published on: Monday, October 26, 2026 read more ...

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News

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

January 12, 2016

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.

ANC

Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial Service

Tuskegee Airmen

Arlington National Cemetery Arboretum Awarded Level II Accreditation

April 27, 2015

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