In the event of a government shutdown, Arlington National Cemetery will remain open and conduct normal operations. The Wreaths Across America wreath-retirement day will still take place as scheduled.
Wreaths Across America’s clean-up day, commonly known as Wreaths Out, will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, beginning at 8 a.m., at Arlington National Cemetery.
This year, thousands of volunteers are expected to come to the cemetery to help remove the more than 245,000 wreaths placed Dec. 16, 2017. The high volume of visitors may create traffic congestion and delays on nearby streets and at the cemetery’s entrances.
The Metro opens at 7 a.m. system-wide and is the recommended method of transportation for volunteers and visitors. The parking garage will be reserved for visitors with family passes, and those with a handicapped placard. Due to the thousands of volunteers expected, family pass holders will not be able to drive onto the cemetery property until the event is over, which is typically around 2 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive by foot at one of other entrances – the Service Complex Gate (on Columbia Pike) is not far from the Pentagon City Metro station, and the Ord & Weitzel Gate (by the Marine Corps War Memorial) is not far from the Rosslyn Metro station. Both are 15-20 minute walks from the Metro station to their respective gate. Please note the Pentagon Metro station will be closed due to an exercise.
On Friday, Jan. 19, the last tour of the day departs at 1 p.m. This is to allow time for the dumpsters to be placed around the cemetery. On Saturday, Jan. 20, there will be no tours. The family shuttle will be in operation, but only after the event is over, which is typically around 2 p.m.
Please take note of the following tips:
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Know where the bathrooms are. Download a map of bathrooms at http://ow.ly/AiPp30h9g0F and save it to your mobile phone.
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Download our mobile app, #ANCExplorer to help navigate throughout the cemetery or learn about the notable sites. Turn on alerts to get notified if there's an incident.
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For your safety, please give vehicles the right of way and let them pass in roadways.
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Only remove WAA wreaths. Leave all other wreaths or decorations in place.
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Place wreaths in the dumpsters positioned throughout the cemetery and pack them tightly.
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When dumpsters are filled, do not pile wreaths next to them. Carry wreaths to unfilled dumpsters.A map of dumpsters is available at https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Portals/0/Docs/News/WAA17-Dumpsters.pdf.
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At no time should volunteers jump or climb on wreaths in dumpsters to compress them.
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Staff vehicles will be compressing wreaths inside dumpsters and removing them when filled.
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Follow us at www.twitter.com/arlingtonnatl for updates if you're interested in continuing to help clear sections that are not complete.
For more information on Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.