Arlington National Cemetery

• Origins
• Tomb of the Unknowns
• Memorial Day
• "Flags in" at Arlington National Cemetery
• Memorial Bridge
• Caparison Horses
• John F. Kennedy Gravesite 
• Arlington National Cemetery Official Web site

Origins

When Union troops seized the Arlington estate in 1861 for the defense of Washington, several forts were established along the Arlington Ridge. On May 13, 1864, the first military funeral was held on this land, honoring Private William Christman of Pennsylvania. On June 15, 1864 orders were issued to set aside the Mansion and two hundred acres of the grounds immediately surrounding it for a military cemetery. After the Civil War, the balance of the estate was further divided between the Freedman’s Village and Fort Whipple (Fort Myer). Soldiers of both the Union and Confederate Armies were buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Also buried there are more than 3,800 former slaves, whose headstones now are designated “Civilian” or “Citizen.” Eventually, the remains of Revolutionary soldiers were re-interned on the grounds of the Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery has become the honored resting place for many of the heroes of our nation’s battles.

Tomb of the Unknowns Tomb Guards serve a position of great honor, and are generally recruited from Arlington’s Fort Myer. Each new sentinel is subject to rigorous physical requirements as well as a review of Arlington National Cemetery history and general military knowledge. The sentinel on duty takes 21 steps, turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds, then retraces his steps. The number of steps and the length of the pause are representative of the highest military tribute, the 21-gun salute. During the daylight hours the change of the guard ceremony occurs on the hour in the winter months and on a 30-minute schedule during the summer. On the west, or rear, panel of the Tomb (facing the Amphitheater) the following is inscribed: HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD Official Web site

The Tomb of the Unknowns Image courtesy of Arlington Economic Development

Memorial Day

This day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Flags in" at Arlington National Cemetery

"Flags in" at Arlington National Cemetery Photo by Abbie Rowe, courtesy National Park Service

For more than a half a century, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) has honored America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags before the gravestones and niches of service members buried at the cemetery. This tradition known as “flags in” has been conducted annually since the Old Guard was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit in 1948. Just prior to Memorial Day weekend, every available soldier in the 3rd Infantry is dispatched to the Cemetery to place small American flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones and about 7,300 niches at the cemetery’s columbarium. Old Guard soldiers remain in the cemetery throughout the weekend, ensuring that a flag remains at each gravestone.

Memorial Bridge

In 1932, the long-awaited Arlington Memorial Bridge was finally completed, symbolically joining the North with the Old South as it connected Lincoln and Lee. This bridge completed the Mall and formed a diagonal axis from the Memorial Gateway of Arlington Cemetery to Arlington House. At the Virginia end, it linked Mount Vernon Memorial Boulevard (later the George Washington Parkway) and US Route 50.

Also visible in this photograph are the temporary buildings of Ft. Myers South Post on the former Arlington Experimental Farm land, and in the background, near the reflecting pool on the Mall.

Caparison Horses

Caparison Horses in National Cemetery Ceremony Image courtesy of Arlington Economic Development

For Infantry officers of Colonel rank and above, a caparison or riderless horse follows the caisson to the gravesite. A black horse, the solemn color of mourning, has a sword strapped to its English riding saddle with boots reversed in the stirrups. The unmounted horse symbolizes a soldier who will never ride again to lead his troops. The caparison horse is never harnessed to a caisson but often will serve duty as the section sergeant’s mount. Although this custom can be traced to ancient cultures, the first notable use of a caparison horse in the United States occurred during the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln. The most famous caparison horse was “Black Jack” who was used during the funerals of Presidents Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Johnson. During the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, the spry and skittish horse captured the nations attention and seemed to epitomize the youth and vigor of the slain President. Black Jack died at the advanced age of 29 and was buried on the parade ground at Fort Meyer.

John F. Kennedy Gravesite

Arlington National Cemetery held special meaning for John F. Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president, who saw the cemetery as a sacred place of burial for thousands of American veterans who had died for their nation’s ideals. His grave is on the hillside positioned along an axis line between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House: a site that would forever link President Kennedy with his martyred predecessor, Abraham Lincoln and with American history through Robert E. Lee. Inscribed at the grave are these words:

                   “Let every nation know
                    Whether it wishes us well or ill
                    That we shall pay any price – bear any burden
                    Meet any hardship – support any friend
                    Oppose any foe to assume the survival
                    And the success of liberty.”

                               John F. Kennedy
                                Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

• Official Web site