Editor’s Pick
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 11:20AM
More Errors Discovered at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is over six hundred acres dedicated to the military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is the final resting place of over a quarter million service personnel and their dependents. It is sacred ground.
It is also at Arlington National Cemetery that America honors its notable citizens who have served their country with distinction. Presidents, supreme court justices and explorers are just an example of the people for whom Arlington National Cemetery symbolizes the respect of a grateful nation.
Since June, 2010, there has been uncovered a disgrace at Arlington National Cemetery. Graves were not marked properly, remains were buried in the wrong location and paperwork was confused or missing. The Pentagon replaced the superintendent, John Metzier, as well as his deputy, Thurman Higgenbotham. The disgrace continues...
"More graves in Arlington National Cemetery have been discovered to be mismarked after remains were exhumed last month, the Army said Wednesday.
At the request of a deceased soldier's next of kin, one grave was investigated and the remains were discovered to not be the deceased soldier in question..."
For the families of the fallen, this needlessly adds to their sorrow. Questions arise whether their loved ones are buried properly and what mistakes were made. It is a national shame that families need to be reassured that the burials were handled properly. In cases where there were errors, there is the ignominy of confirming the mistake and duty to correct it, post-haste.
Superintendent John Metzier and Deputy Thurman Higgenbotham have been notably silent on this matter. Their continued silence adds to the burden of the families who have to endure this outrage. Surely there must be agreement among political leaders and military authorities that correcting this desecration of Arlington National Cemetery is a national imperative.
Catherine Forsythe
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Erica K
Director of Studies
Stephanie Russell-Kraft
Jeremiah Horrigan
Salon.com
Comments
rated with hugs
rated.
a plaque with a name on it for grunts, a bigger plaque for officers, larger still with rhinestone border for political figures, and mount them all on a big wall buried out of sight, because they were involved in shameful acts.