Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, VA, is considered the “nation’s most hallowed ground” due to the extensive history that lies within its borders. Established in 1864, it is the burial site for United States soldiers that have fought in wars from the Civil War all the way to the more recent Global War on Terror. In addition, it has become an important destination for visitors who wish to pay their respects and thank those who have fought for our freedom.
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Spread across a massive 624 acres, the Cemetery is divided up into 70 different sections, including a section for confederate soldiers, a nurses section, a section for former slaves, Chaplains Hill – that features monuments for Jewish, Roman Catholic and Protestant military chaplains, and a section for those that have been killed in the Global War on Terror since 2001.
Although you can only drive into the cemetery itself if you are attending a funeral service, you can use your smartphone to follow one of nine available self-guided walking tours after parking at the Welcome Center. There are also tours offered through Arlington National Cemetery Tours, which include stops at the U.S. Coast Guard Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the Arlington House, the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Kennedy’s gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are two of the most popular spots to visit within the ceremony and definite must-sees for a first-time visitor. President Kennedy is one of only two presidents to be buried in the cemetery and his burial site includes the Eternal Flame – a fire that burns from within a five foot circular stone at the head of his grave. The flame, which was lit by Mrs. Kennedy at the President’s funeral in the 1960’s, has been burning continuously since then.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays tribute to all the American soldiers that were killed in combat, whose identities were unknown. The large, white marble sarcophagus that provides the backdrop for the site which sits on a hill that overlooks Washington D.C., sits above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. On other side, are crypts of Unknown Soldiers from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Although the Tomb site is impressive in and of itself, the Changing of the Guard Ritual is a must-see moving experience. Every hour, on the hour, an elaborate ritual takes place where a Relief Commander announces the Changing of the Guard and then performs a detailed inspection of the sentinel’s weapon before the new sentinel takes over. The entire ceremony is done in complete silence from the observing crowd, making it all the more majestic and touching. The guard’s exact movements are also a sight to behold – taking exactly 90 steps per minute, broken out into 21 steps back and forth, with pauses of exactly 21 seconds in between.
