Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is the second largest national cemetery in the United States. More than 350,000 men, women and children are buried there. Military personnel are buried in Arlington from the Revolutionary War to the wars of today.During the weekday an average 27-30 funerals are held. Some of the men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried in section 60. Five Chief Justices and 8 Justices of the United States Supreme Court, 19 astronauts. two presidents ( William Howard Taft , John F. Kennedy )and various military heroes.
All the land Arlington National Cemetery is on belong to Mary Anna Lee, the wife of Robert E. Lee. . Mrs. Lee was related to Martha Washington. The Lees lived in the house for over 30 years.On June 15,1864 Brig.Gen Montgomery Meigs ordered the confiscation of the grounds for use of a military cemetery.Some of the first soldiers to be buried were confederate forces.
Interesting Facts
- 3 Unknown service men buried at the tomb
- tomb weighs 79 tons
- The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day regardless of weather
- Custom of a riderless horse at funerals goes back to the time of Genghis Khan
- Buried in Arlington is Major Louis Cukela: earned two Medals of Honor for the same act
