ARLINGTON CEMETERY & THE TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIERS

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington House History On a Virginia hillside rising above the Potomac River, overlooking Washington, D.C., stands the Arlington House. When constructed in 1802, the estate was not intended to be a national cemetery.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington House (continued) The mansion, which was intended as a living memorial to George Washington, was owned and constructed by the first president's adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis. George Washington Parke Custis and his wife, Mary Lee Fitzhugh (whom he had married in 1804), lived in Arlington House for the rest of their lives and were buried together on the property after their deaths in 1857 and 1853, respectively.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington House (continued) Custis' only child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married her childhood friend and distant cousin, Robert E. Lee. - Lee in 1846 served in the Mexican war and regretted the loss of his home at Arlington.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington House (continued) The property was confiscated by the federal government when the property taxes were not paid in person by Mrs. Lee. The property was offered for public sale Jan. 11, 1864, and was purchased by a tax commissioner for "government use.” Arlington National Cemetery was established by Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, who commanded the garrison at Arlington House and appropriated the grounds June 15, 1864, for use as a military cemetery.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY More than a quarter-million Americans are buried on the 612 acres of rolling hills above the Potomac River called "Arlington". Each year nearly 5 million visitors pass through the cemetery's Visitors' Center, to walk or ride through history among the stones that call to mind heroes. As an American Shrine, many people do not realize that Arlington is still an operational cemetery, conducting an average of 15 funerals each day.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY The President sends wreaths to Arlington each year on: May 29th (The birth date of President John F. Kennedy who is buried at Arlington) Memorial Day September 15th (The birth date of President Howard Taft who is buried at Arlington) Veterans Day

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is one of more than 100 National Cemeteries, but is one of only two that is administered by the U.S. Army. Some interesting facts: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/section_27_facts.html

THE TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIERS The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the most frequently visited. More than 1 Million American men and women have given their lives in the defense of freedom. For all those whose names we do not know, the Unknown Soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam serve as a somber reminder of the cost of Freedom.

THE TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIERS Beneath the white marble Tomb sarcophagus lies the body of an unidentified American soldier from World War I. West of the sarcophagus beneath three marble slabs that lie flush with the plaza are crypts for the unidentified remains of an American soldier from World War II and Korea, and the empty crypt that once held the unidentified remains of a serviceman from the Vietnam War.

THE TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIERS The Sentinel's Creed My dedication to this sacred duty
Is total and wholehearted- In the responsibility bestowed on me
never will I falter-
And with dignity and perseverance
my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise
And the discomfort of the elements
I will walk my tour in humble reverence
to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect
his bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,
alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier in honored glory rest
under my eternal vigilance.

Discovery Education Video Title: The Unknown Soldier (School Version) http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=arlington+national+