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 ...

9. West Portico Inscriptions

west inscriptions

An inscription above the west portico quotes the Roman poet Horace: “DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI” (“It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country.” The second line reads, “ARLINGTON MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATER,” and the bottom line is the year of construction in Roman numerals, “ANNO DOMINI MCMXV.” The inscription refers to 1915, the year that construction began on the Amphitheater, rather than 1920, the year of its completion.



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