Topic: Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial Day’s Beginnings

May 30, 2016 |

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. – The head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), On May 5th, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Major General John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th.

It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day

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Fort Campbell Survivor Outreach Services honors Fallen Service Members with Boot Display and Run

October 9, 2015 |

Fort Campbell, KY – In honor of Military Survivor Appreciation Week, the 101st Airborne Division and  Fort Campbell Survivor Outreach Services will display more than 7,000 boots on the lawn of the Division Headquarters and hold a Division Run for the Fallen.

The boots will be on display October 15th through October 18th and have been collected from military service members across Fort Campbell and abroad. Each boot is adorned with a photo of an active duty service member who has died while serving since September 11th, 2001.

This display of combat boots, designed by Morale, Welfare and Recreation engineer Thomas Kirkham, honors the memories and sacrifice of the brave military men and women who gave their lives while serving our country and is arranged to be reminiscent of Arlington National Cemetery.

Soldiers with the 551st Military Police Company and 1/506 Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team setting up the Survivor Outreach Services boot display last year honoring service members who died in support of the Global War on Terror since Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Nondice Thurman, Fort Campbell Public Affairs Office)

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Screaming Eagle Honor Flight aims to honor Veterans

July 31, 2015 |

Written by Staff Sgt. Sierra Fown
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Fort Campbell, KY – The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight departed Nashville, TN to Washington, D.C., Saturday with 27 World War II, Vietnam and Korean War veterans on board. In addition, each veteran had a volunteer sponsor, two of which were the 101st Airborne Division’s Soldier of the year and noncommissioned officer of the year.

The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight is a Clarksville-based chapter of the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization that provides veterans with free flights to and from D.C. Many of the veterans on board Saturday’s flight had never been to the National Mall to see the memorials that were built in their honor.

U.S. Marine veteran, Jim Devasher, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, points a name out on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington July 25, 2015. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year was the guardian for Devasher during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)

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A look at the History of Memorial Day

May 25, 2015 |

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. – On May 5th, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th.

It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day

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Vietnam Veterans of America held their annual Memorial Day Candlelight Vigil Sunday night, May 24th

May 25, 2015 |

Clarksville, TN – On Sunday, May 25th, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 396 held their annual Candlelight Vigil to remember the men and women who were left behind in Vietnam when American forces withdrew in 1975.

It is a solemn occasion when a nation gathers together to honor its soldiers, those who lived to come home, but even more importantly those who did not.

LTC (Retired) Jose Garcia delivering the keynote address at the 2015 Vietnam Veterans of America Candle Light Vigil.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Memorializes Three Tennesseans who gave the Ultimate Sacrifice

May 16, 2015 |

Missing in Action Soldiers Among Those Remembered

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam joined Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Major General Terry “Max” Haston of the Tennessee Military Department to pay tribute to three Tennesseans who gave the ultimate sacrifice, including two service members previously missing in action for several decades.

Haslam presented surviving family members with the Honor and Remember Flag and an Iris which is the official state flower.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.

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Fort Campbell Soldiers lost at Gander remembered around the world

December 19, 2014 |

Fort Campbell, KY – Many gathered Friday to remember the 248 Soldiers – noncommissioned officers and officers from units across this division, the majority from 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment – who lost their lives December 12th, 1985, in a plane crash at Gander, Newfoundland. The troops were returning home from a six-month peacekeeping mission in Sinai, Egypt, as part of the Multinational Force and Observers.

This year marks the 29th anniversary of that heartbreaking winter day. There were several memorial ceremonies Friday, not only at Fort Campbell, but across the world.

Col. Peter N. Benchoff and Command Sgt. Maj. John Brady pay tribute, to the 248 Soldiers who lost their lives in a plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland at the 29th Gander Memorial Ceremony. Twenty nine years ago this morning, Arrow Airlines flight 1285 took off from Gander Newfoundland in Canada with eight crew members and 248 Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers from units across this division, the majority from 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The flight crashed immediately following takeoff and there were no survivors. The soldiers were returning home from a peace keeping mission in Sinai, Egypt. Strike Soldiers and Screaming Eagle families gather yearly in remembrance. (Sgt. 1st Class Eric Abendroth/U.S. Army)

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Shelbyville Tennessee Soldier missing for nearly 70 years Will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 22nd, 2014

August 21, 2014 |

Private First Class Cecil Garris’ remains recovered in France

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder recognize the service and sacrifice of Private First Class Cecil E. Harris of Shelbyville, TN.

Harris was serving with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division on January 2nd, 1945 when his platoon was holding a defensive position in Dambach, France near the German border during World War II.

Private First Class Cecil E. Harris of Shelbyville, Tennessee to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Army Secretary Honors Fallen at Arlington Commemoration

June 17, 2014 |

By Amaani Lyle, American Forces Press Service

Washington , DC – Army Secretary John M. McHugh praised the fallen from the nation’s wars during a commemoration of Arlington National Cemetery’s 150th anniversary in the cemetery’s amphitheater.

McHugh conveyed gratitude and historical context during the event, “Arlington at 150,” which featured a musical performance by “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band as well as participation from the U.S. Army “Old Guard” 3rd Infantry Regiment and historical vignettes depicting how conflicts have molded the nation.

The Secretary of the Army John McHugh addresses the audience during the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., June 15, 2014. (Spc. Michael Mulderick/U.S. Army)

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Memorial Day’s History

May 26, 2014 |

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. –  On May 5th, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th.

It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day

«Read the rest of this article»

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