News

Arlington National Cemetery developing options to extend the life of the cemetery

August 30, 2016

The Honor Subcommittee, part of the Advisory Committee for Arlington National Cemetery met on Aug. 23 to discuss alternatives to extend the life of active burials at Arlington well into the future.

In response to Public Law 114-158, ANC is currently developing a report to Congress which outlines options that the Secretary of the Army may consider to keep the cemetery open for first rments and inurnments until well into the future. The options being considered include: continuing with the existing eligibility, expansion options, and changing eligibility.

If the cemetery continues with its current interment and inurnment rate, it will run out of space for first interments and inurnments within the next 25 years.

The report is due to Congress mid-November.

Established within the charter of the Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery, the Honor Subcommittee provides an independent assessment of methods to address the long-term future of the Army national cemeteries, including how best to extend the active burials and what ANC should focus on once all available space is used.

The Honor Subcommittee also addresses the current eligibility requirements for interment and inurnment at ANC to ensure that recommendations serve and protect the interests of all service members and veterans, surviving family members, and the American public. Difficult choices need to be made regarding how ANC can continue to serve our Nation's veterans and their families well into the future. Now is the time to consider these options.

Turf Renovations Underway

June 06, 2016

Arlington National Cemetery annually renovates more than 30 acres of turf. This process involves removing the old turf and weeds, tilling the soil, grading the grave sites, and planting new grass from seed. Each year the Horticulture Division assigns sections for renovation as needed. The long term result will be a much healthier, thicker turf and ground that is much more level.

Renovations this year will take place in parts of sections 7, 17, and 18, as well as all of sections 19, 22, 23, 24, and 46. For the next several weeks, you will notice signs and work being performed in these sections.

Please limit walking in these areas as much as possible, but feel free to continue to visit and leave flowers at grave sites in these sections.

Arlington National Cemetery announces its 2016 schedule of special narrated tours

June 03, 2016

Arlington National Cemetery’s History Office developed a series of informative lectures and tours that highlight the history of the United States through the eyes of its heroes buried at Arlington and the military conflicts that shaped the cemetery and the nation. The tours are narrated by Arlington National Cemetery historians and free of charge. Registration is required through Eventbrite. All tours start at Welcome Center at Arlington National Cemetery and require some walking. Women in Military Service Date: March 18, 2016 Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Start Location: Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center

ANC Policy regarding Pokemon Go & other smartphone gaming

June 01, 2016

Out of respect for all those interred at Arlington National Cemetery, we require the highest level of decorum from our guests and visitors. Playing games such as “Pokemon Go” on these hallowed grounds would not be deemed appropriate. We request that visitors to ANC refrain from such activity.

Thank you.

Roses to Honor Fallen Troops Available on Memorial Day

May 26, 2016

National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery

May 09, 2016

The 148th annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members is scheduled for Monday, May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater. A prelude by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

Both the wreath-laying ceremony and the observance program are free and open to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend these events. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to be at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the amphitheater by 9:30 a.m.

Free parking is available for vehicles in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center’s parking lot from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to the Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to the welcome center until 2 p.m.

Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the ceremony. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, screwdrivers (or similar tools), air horns, personal protection sprays, and insulated beverage containers.

Clear plastic water bottles are permitted.

NOTE: DoD identification card holders will not be permitted to walk from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall into the cemetery. Instead, they must park their vehicles on post and board a free shuttle bus at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. The shuttle service is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to Fort Myer Memorial Chapel.

For more information, send an email to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@mail.mil or call 202-685-4645.

Southern Expansion Project Public Scoping Meeting

April 28, 2016

On Wednesday, April 27, 2016, a Public Scoping Meeting was held to discus the proposed Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) Southern Expansion Project and Associated Roadway Realignment in Arlington County.

ANC is proposing to increase its contiguous acreage by utilizing an area adjacent to the existing cemetery, the former Navy Annex site, now known as the Southern Expansion site. To accomplish this, the cemetery has been working with the owners and operators of the adjacent road network, Arlington County and VDOT, to pursue a roadway realignment and land exchange agreement.

For more information visit the project website:
www.nao.usace.army.mil/…/militaryconst…/ANCSouthernExpansion

Scoping comments may be submitted until May 31, 2016, at SouthernExpansion@usace.army.mil

McClellan Gate Documentation

April 28, 2016

Heritage Documentation Programs, NPS architects Ryan Pierce and Mark Schara, together with intern Sergio Lizarraga (Montgomery College), have recently begun a project to document the McClellan Gate at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia; and the Main Gate at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, in Washington, District of Columbia.

Both gates were erected under the supervision of Montgomery C. Meigs, Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army, circa 1880. The documentation project is sponsored by Arlington National Cemetery.

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1071761989554417.1073741940.130899723640653&type=3

Important information about access to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

April 15, 2016

Beginning on Saturday, April 16, 2016, driver’s licenses and identification cards from some state and territories in the United States do not comply with the Real ID Act of 2006 and will no longer be accepted as primary identification for people to gain access to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH).

As detailed in the Real ID Act of 2005, driver's licenses and identification cards from Illinois, Missouri, the territory of American Samoa and some IDs Minnesota and Washington currently do not meet federal regulations and cannot be used as primary forms of ID for base access. Those who possess an Enhanced Driver’s License that is designated as acceptable for border-crossing documents from Minnesota and Washington are acceptable as a primary form of ID for access to JBM-HH.

Please call JBM-HH Military Police for any questions concerning access to the base at 703-588-2800/2801.

Alternate compliant IDs:

· Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)

· U.S. passport

· U.S. passport card

· DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

· U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)

· Permanent resident card

· Border crossing card

· DHS-designated enhanced driver's license

· Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)

· Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID

· HSPD-12 PIV card

· Foreign government-issued passport

· Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

· Transportation worker identification credential

· Immigration and Naturalization Service Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

· Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington

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.