Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., is a sacred and historic site that serves as the final resting place for over 400,000 military veterans, their families, and prominent public figures. Established during the Civil War, it spans over 600 acres of hallowed ground, honoring those who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Among the most notable burials are five-star generals, a rank reserved for only the most distinguished military leaders. Buried at Arlington are General John J. Pershing, commander of American forces in World War I, and General Omar Bradley, a leading general during World War II and the last U.S. officer to be promoted to five-star rank. These military legends rest in honor alongside countless others who dedicated their lives to the country.
Arlington National Cemetery is also the resting place for several Supreme Court Justices. Justices such as Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice, and William O. Douglas, known for his long tenure on the bench and his defense of civil liberties, are buried there. Their graves, like those of the military personnel surrounding them, serve as a testament to their enduring contributions to American law and governance.
Within the cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly known as the Vietnam Wall, is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., not far from Arlington. The black granite wall bears the names of over 58,000 service members who were killed or went missing during the Vietnam War. Designed by Maya Lin, the wall’s reflective surface allows visitors to see their own reflection alongside the engraved names, creating a poignant and powerful connection with the past. The memorial is a place of deep reflection and remembrance, honoring those who sacrificed their lives during one of America’s most challenging conflicts. My uncle, Harry L. Craig, is memorialized on Panel 62E, Line 16 of the wall.
Arlington National Cemetery, with its rows of white gravestones, honors the memory of heroes from all branches of the military, significant figures in American history, and the many unnamed soldiers who rest there in peace.
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