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Published on: Friday, August 22, 2025 read more ...

Section 78 Closed, Beginning Aug. 12

8/9/2024

On July 18, while conducting burial operations in Section 78 of Arlington National Cemetery, several canisters were discovered underground that contained Silvex, an agricultural herbicide banned in the United States in 1985. Upon discovering the herbicide, the cemetery took immediate action and contacted environmental and legal experts to ensure proper disposal in accordance with DoD’s Defense Environmental Restoration Program regulations and in collaboration with the Army’s Environmental Command and the Commonwealth Department of Environmental Quality.  This section will be closed to the public beginning Aug. 12 as we take the proper steps to resolve the matter.  We have no reason to suspect any impact to your loved one’s gravesite in this section; however, Section 78 will be closed to visitors during this project to ensure the safety of visitors, family members and our workforce.  We will continue to keep you updated.