Arlington National Cemetery opened the five-week commemoration for its 150th anniversary with a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Army Pvt. William Christman, who was 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.
Members of the Christman family were present at the ceremony and placed a wreath at his grave. Rick Bodenschatz, representing the Tobyhanna Township Historical Association, placed 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.
The cemetery will also host 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 highlight of the commemoration is the “Arlington at 150 Observance Program: A tribute to Arlington’s Past, Present and Future,” featuring historical vignettes and musical performances on the evening of June 13. This is the first time that Arlington has hosted an evening program in the Memorial Amphitheater. The event is free and open to the public.
“Arlington National Cemetery is America’s premier military cemetery and a sacred treasure in our nation’s history. We are pleased to host a series of events to mark this special occasion,” said Patrick K. Hallinan, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries.
“Arlington at 150” events (Free and open to the public)
• Renaming ceremony for the Old Amphitheater and Decoration Day observance, 5 p.m. May 30
• “Arlington at 150 Observance Program: A tribute to Arlington’s Past, Present and Future,” featuring historical vignettes and musical performances, pre-show starts at 8 p.m. June 13
• Wreath-laying ceremony, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 9 a.m. June 16
Details about “Arlington at 150” events are available at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Events/ANC150.aspx
Ten days of tours
Arlington has partnered with ANC Tours by Martz Gray Line to provide a series of narrated tours exploring Arlington’s rich history. Tours are $9 per person and include transportation around the cemetery, a speaker and a narrator from the Arlington National Cemetery History Office. These tours are perfect for individuals or groups.
“Arlington at 150” Special Guided Tours
• The American Civil War, 2 to 5 p.m. May 19 and June 2
• Uncle Sam’s Little Wars, 2 to 5 p.m. May 20
• World War I: Bringing our Heroes Home, 2 to 5 p.m. May 21 and June 3
• World War II: The Greatest Generation, 2 to 5 p.m. May 22
• U.S. Military and the Cold War, 2 to 5 p.m. May 23
• Late 20th Century to the Present, 2 to 5 p.m. June 4
• Monuments and Memorials, 2 to 5 p.m. June 5
• Medal of Honor, 2 to 5 p.m. June 6
Tickets for “Arlington at 150” tours are available for purchase online through: http://www.anctours.com/Arlingtonat150.php, or by phone at (202) 488-1012.
Arlington National Cemetery is committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen heroes, veterans and their families through dignified military interment services. The work that Arlington is undertaking today will further enable the cemetery to be a place for people to Honor, Remember and Explore this nation’s rich history well into the future.