Topic: Arlington National Cemetery

History of Memorial Day

May 27, 2013 |

From the 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.

US Flags at Veterans Headstones

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Wreaths Across America’ Honors Fallen Service Members

December 17, 2012 |

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

Sheila Patton, traveled with her daughter from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to participate in the “Wreaths Across America” tribute to fallen U.S. service members. (William Miles/DOD)

Arlington National Cemetery, VA – As thousands of volunteers fanned out here this weekend, placing holiday wreaths at the white headstones as part of the “Wreaths Across America” tribute, Sheila Patton kept vigil at one particular grave site.

Patton and her daughter stationed themselves at the grave of their son and brother, Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton. Twenty-three-year-old “Jimmy” was serving his seventh overseas deployment since 9/11 with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, when he was killed in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq, on April 18th, 2010.

Patton said she travels here from Fort Campbell, KY, as often as possible. Patton felt a special calling, she said, to participate in the largest single venue of the nationwide “Wreaths Across America” tribute.

“This was something very important to me,” she said. “I really wanted to be here, to be a part of all this, and to be able to honor Jimmy and all the others who are buried here.” «Read the rest of this article»

2012 Week of the Eagles Run for the Fallen

August 10, 2012 |

Fort Campbell, KY – Join the Fort Campbell community on August 11th as we hold our 5th Annual Run for the Fallen. This commemorative walk/run will take place at Sabalauski Air Assault School.

The event will include a two mile walk and a 3.2 mile run. Runners and walkers will be received at 6:30am and the opening ceremonies will begin at 8:00am. Runners will depart at 8:15am followed by the walkers at 8:30am. «Read the rest of this article»

Memorial Day History

May 30, 2011 |

From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. – Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5th, 1868, 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. «Read the rest of this article»

Afghan President visits Fort Campbell

May 15, 2010 |

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky.  — Afghan President Hamid Karzai brought a message of thanks to Soldiers and their Families at Fort Campbell today, as the 101st Airborne Division continues to deploy to his country.

Karzai’s visit to the installation comes on the heels of a week of talks in Washington, D.C., with President Barack Obama. The two leaders used the time to help repair relations between Afghanistan and the U.S., after a year of rising tensions.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recognized the history and sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division Soldiers and their Families in his introduction of Karzai.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

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Christian Cross does not represent all deceased vets, UA tells Federal Appeal Court

January 17, 2009 |

San Diego religious symbol’s display on public land violates Constitution, Church-State watchdog group argues

Mt. Soledad cross, San Diego

The Christian cross is not an appropriate symbol to memorialize deceased veterans of many different faith perspectives and should not be displayed on government property, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told a federal appeals court.

Americans United and other religious and civil liberties groups today asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court’s ruling holding that the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego is a secular war memorial.

“American service personnel come from many different faiths and some follow no spiritual path at all,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “It is disrespectful to our deceased veterans to use the symbol of only one faith to memorialize them all. «Read the rest of this article»

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