ANC 150, the commemoration of 150 years of Arlington as a national cemetery, begins Tuesday, May 13 with an Army wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Army Pvt. William Christman, the first military burial at Arlington. At the age of 20, Christman enlisted in the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry on March 25, 1864, and was hospitalized for measles five weeks later. He died on May 11 and was buried at Arlington on May 13.
Immediately following the Army wreath ceremony, members of the Christman family will place a wreath at his grave. Rick Bodenschatz, representing the Tobyhanna Township Historical Association, will also place a stone of remembrance from the original Christman home. The family home, located in Pocono Lake, Tobyhanna Township, was built from funds received from Christman’s Army service.
Following the ceremony, Dr. Stephen Carney, Arlington National Cemetery command historian, will give a lecture about the history of Arlington National Cemetery at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
Both events are free and open to the public. Details about ANC 150 events are available at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Events/ANC150.aspx