AUTHORS

Blog: ANC Blog

A Seasonal Message of Hope: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Hosts Annual Easter Sunrise Service

More than a thousand people, many wearing their Sunday best, came to Arlington National Cemetery in the predawn darkness of April 20, 2025, to attend the annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Memorial Amphitheater. The service, hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, dates back to 1927 as a non-denominational tradition that draws people from all walks of life to hear a seasonal message of hope.  

“Love and Fidelity”: Decorated Veteran and His Wife of 44 Years Inurned

Sgt. Maj. Morton “Duke” Windsor rarely spoke about his distinguished career service in the U.S. Army, which included serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. When Windsor and his wife, Erika, were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on March 31, 2025, two of his sons tried to piece together his long record of military service. 

.  

Missing Korean War Air Force Pilot Memorialized

On the night of March 14, 1951, U.S. Air Force Capt. Julius C. Fluhr Jr.’s F-82G Twin Mustang disappeared over the battlefields of Korea. At around 3:15 a.m., he last reported to another F-82 that he was between the cities of Taegu and Seoul, on his way to his target. Fluhr’s aircraft never returned from his mission. Subsequent searches for his F-82G proved fruitless. Later in the war, returning POWs reported no contact with him. No wreckage or remains were ever found, but he was not forgotten. 

“A Man Whose Courage Soared as High as the Skies He Defended”: Honoring Lt. Gen. Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers

U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Gen. Claire Chennault did everything within his power to protect China during World War II. Before the United States officially entered the war, he commanded the American Volunteer Group (AVG) —known as the “Flying Tigers”—which consisted of nearly 300 American pilots who volunteered to fight in the skies over Japanese-occupied China, as well as American nurses.  

Coast Guard Vietnam Veteran Laid to Rest Where He Always Wanted to Be

U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. James Park Sutherland always wanted to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, according to his wife Carolyn. During their 39-year marriage, he repeatedly told her, “I really want to go to Arlington.” His daughter, Amy Wood, also recalled him telling friends that being buried at Arlington would be his highest honor.  

A Daughter’s Closure, 80 Years After Pearl Harbor

On a windy day at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Harbison looked over the casket of her late father, U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer John Connolly, at his burial—not a common experience for a woman in her 90s. She was only eight years old on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Nevada-class battleship USS Oklahoma, moored in the waters of Pearl Harbor, was struck by torpedoes and capsized, killing her father and 428 other sailors and Marines. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Connolly joined the Navy in 1912 in Boston and served in World War I. Promoted through the ranks, eventually reaching that of chief warrant officer, he was three weeks away from retiring when the torpedoes struck.

A Final Farewell to a Staff Sergeant Who “Loved the Army”

Staff Sgt. James “Jamie” Santos loved his time in the U.S. Army. When his remains were inurned at Arlington National Cemetery on March 27, 2025, it was no surprise that so many of his fellow soldiers attended the service. Many had served with him in the Persian Gulf War, Haiti and Somalia. 

 

Arlington National Cemetery Hosts 18 Medal of Honor Recipients on National Medal of Honor Day

When Medal of Honor recipients Allan Kellogg, Jr., and Kenneth David placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on National Medal of Honor Day, David thought of only one thing, “I reflected on the seven members of my squad who lost their life that day.” 

Hand in Hand, Sisters Bid Farewell to Their Parents

Sisters Dianne Schildt and Carol Moleskie held hands during the funeral service for their parents on March 19, 2025. Their father, U.S. Navy Construction Mechanic (Diesel) Petty Officer 2nd Class Leonard A. Moleskie, had been married to their mother, Helene “Dolly,” for almost 60 years until her passing in 2013.  

Marine Corps General, a “Gentle Warrior,” Laid to Rest

When Susan Smith received the tri-folded American flag that had been draped over the casket of her husband, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Norman Harold Smith, she held it to her chest and did not let go until the end of her husband’s funeral service.