Arlington National Cemetery

Update on the ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is our Nation’s most sacred shrine embodying the sacrifices made to uphold our country’s ideals and freedoms. The American Legion was dismayed and disheartened by the US Army Inspector General (IG) Agency’s Report of Investigation [SAIG- IN (ROI 10-004)] that detailed pervasive mismanagement and waste, fraud and abuse in connection with contracts for services at ANC and a twenty year lack of leadership by the political, military and civilian employees charged with the care of this most sacred of national military cemeteries. The ROI included failures such as the improper handling of remains; loss of accountability of cremated remains; unmarked gravesites; unintended double burial of remains; and failure to notify next-of-kin of the trans-internment of remains. In addition, the ROI indicated a fundamental breakdown in the ANC chain of command that occurred over an 18-year period (1992 to 2009). Many management faults were identified including a lack of teamwork and professionalism among ANC leadership and ANC leadership employees who were putting their personal differences ahead of their solemn duties and responsibilities. Their sole focus should have been dedicated to ensuring our Nation’s heroes, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of this country, were treated with the utmost dignity, honor, and respect. National Commander Clarence Hill provided testimony to Congress on July 29 addressing The American Legion’s response to the IG report. The American Legion is pleased former Our nation must ensure that senators Bob Dole and Max Cleland are every American hero leading the newly-implemented Army interred at Arlington National Cemeteries Advisory Commission. receives the dignity, honor This commission arose in response to the IG and respect they have report. It will review ANC policies and earned. procedures and provide guidance and support for eliminating the deficiencies in the operation of ANC. We thank the former senators for taking on this challenge. The American Legion also acknowledges that the majority of ANC employees perform their jobs with dedication and to a high professional standard. Currently there is an extraordinarily high operational tempo of 27 to 30 ANC funerals a day. These professionals are a credit to Arlington National Cemetery and to the Nation. The American Legion commends their service and wholeheartedly thanks them for the difficult and noble work they perform on a daily basis. Arlington Ntional Cemetery - continued The American Legion also applauds the corrective actions taken by the Department of the Army subsequent to the IG report. Yet despite that, the report made it clear that mismanagement had been occurring for more than two decades and continued even after being discovered in previous investigations. Therefore, it is quite clear a new course of action is required to correct the ANC deficiencies uncovered in the IG report. The American Legion recommends Congress place the responsibility of managing, operating, and maintaining Arlington National Cemetery, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Responsibilities to conduct military ceremonies at the cemetery, man the 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and provide military funeral escorts would remain with the Military District of Washington through the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard.” The American Legion recommends this action because the VA has jurisdiction over 131 National Cemeteries, as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites nationwide. The Department of Defense, through the Department of the Army, has jurisdiction over only two National Cemeteries: Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Clearly, the VA NCA will provide the needed management, organizational infrastructure and operational skills necessary to remedy those deficiencies found in the IG report. Our Nation owes those interred in Arlington an infinite amount of gratitude. Treating every single individual who is put to rest at Arlington with dignity, honor, and respect is the very least we can do as Americans to show our heartfelt and never-ending thankfulness. It is also absolutely imperative for those currently bearing arms in the defense of this country have complete faith and confidence they are serving a grateful nation. These brave Americans can only be expected to courageously fight and serve in harm’s way if they are afforded the peace of mind of knowing the American people and their government will support them throughout every phase of the battle and including eternal rest if they should answer the ultimate call of duty. 2 .

Load more