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Honoring the Life and Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

It is fitting that one of the most important women in American history had a birthday in March, Women’s History Month. Ruth Bader Ginsburg — Supreme Court justice, cultural icon, and indefatigable champion of gender equality — was born on March 15, 1933. She is buried in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery, next to her husband, Martin Ginsburg, an attorney and U.S. Army veteran.   

Historian
Jenifer Leigh Van Vleck
PhD

Army Band Members Honor Musician Lt. James Reese Europe

By Kevin M. Hymel on 3/1/2022

On February 22, 2022, a small group of soldiers — some in black coats with gold lanyards and red service caps, others in World War I period “doughboy” uniforms — gathered at the grave of Lieutenant James Reese Europe. They were there for a ceremony to honor the anniversary of his birthday, in 1881. Europe, a renowned musical innovator, served as a Black officer in the segregated U.S. Army during World War I. He led the band for the 369th Infantry Regiment, the famed “Harlem Hellfighters.”

Kevin M. Hymel
Contract Historian
Kevin M. Hymel

Braving the Cold, Collecting Wreaths

By Kevin M. Hymel on 1/25/2022

Despite the 12-degree temperatures on the morning of January 22, 2022, people roamed through Arlington National Cemetery removing wreaths from headstones. To these volunteers, braving the cold weather to collect wreaths was only a small sacrifice. To them, it was way to honor those who sacrificed all.

Kevin M. Hymel
Contract Historian
Kevin M. Hymel

The United States Coast Guard and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Since its creation in 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has become a symbol of valor and sacrifice during wartime. The Coast Guard has participated in all three of the ceremonies connected to interments at the Tomb—an acknowledgement of the numerous unrecoverable and unidentifiable Coast Guard service members lost over the years who are memorialized at the Tomb.

A Tragedy After the Unknown’s Funeral: Charles Whittlesey and the Costs of Heroism

On November 24, 1921, two weeks after he and other Medal of Honor recipients participated in the funeral of the Unknown Soldier, Colonel Charles Whittlesey boarded the S.S. Toloa, en route to Havana, Cuba from New York. At the beginning of the voyage, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. On November 26, around 11:30 PM, Whittlesey announced that he was retiring for the night. He was never seen or heard from again. 

Contract Historian
Jenifer Leigh Van Vleck
PhD

Frank Witchey: The Maestro of the Trumpet

By Tim Frank, ANC Historian on 11/5/2021

As we commemorate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier centennial, today we highlight one of the individuals who played—literally—a key role in the 1921 funeral ceremony: Army bugler Frank Witchey.

ANC Historian
Tim Frank

Graves B. Erskine: Marine Hero Who Commanded the Unknown Soldier’s Honor Guard

By Kevin M. Hymel on 11/4/2021

In honor of the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on November 10, and the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, we highlight Graves B. Erskine, who is buried in Section 5 of the cemetery. A USMC World War I veteran and future general, then-Captain Erskine commanded the guard of honor that watched over the Unknown’s casket during its turbulent voyage from France to the United States aboard the USS Olympia from October 25 to November 9, 1921.

Kevin M. Hymel
Contract Historian
Kevin M. Hymel

Chief Plenty Coups and the American Indian Tribute to the Unknown

By Roderick Gainer, ANC Curator on 10/29/2021

Chief Plenty Coups, the last traditional chief of the Apsáalooke (Crow) tribe of the Great Plains, was among the distinguished dignitaries at the burial of the World War I Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921. Chosen to represent American Indian peoples at the funeral service, he presented several culturally significant gifts to the Unknown: a coup stick and lance (originally bundled together) and a war bonnet.

ANC Curator
Roderick Gainer

How to Get to the #Tomb100 Flower Ceremony

By on 10/28/2021

Are you planning on attending the Public Flower Ceremony as part of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration? If so, this blog post is for you! Below is everything you need to know about how to get to Arlington National Cemetery and how to participate. 

ANC Public Affairs Office
Ashley Topolosky

The Centennial Flower Ceremony: Meaning, Symbolism and History

On November 9 and 10, 2021, the public will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by participating in a special flower ceremony at the Tomb. Rife with meaning, this special event references significant moments and symbols from the Tomb’s history.