Uncategorized

The Shame of Arlington National Cemetery, Cont’d

By Michael Scherer | @michaelscherer | June 30, 2010 | +

Just a few weeks back, Darrell Stafford, the internment foreman at Arlington National Cemetery, told CNN:

“Everybody’s a VIP who enters Arlington National Cemetery, whether it’s a private or a general,” he said. “We look at them the same. Someone’s loved one has passed on, and we should do our best to make their departure or the last moments with their loved one the best we can give them.”

Except, that’s not true. Salon.com reveals that despite the Army’s official policy of treating all soldiers the same at Arlington, a system has been in place for years to flaunt those sacred rules. From Salon:

Since 1962, service members are supposed to be buried in the next available grave, regardless of their post in life. “The next available grave … is assigned for the interment or inurnment,” according to cemetery rules. “Assignment of graves … are without regard to military rank, race, color, creed, or gender of the qualifying service member.” Despite those rules, the practice of quietly reserving sweet spots for VIPs has been going on for years, if not decades, Army officials now say.

Related Topics: arlington national cemetery, army, salon, Uncategorized

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  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    In a city run entirely upon sweet deals, I just can’t bring myself to be shocked that this is happening

  • nflfoghorn

    What next – like other cemeteries Arlington buries caskets on top of each other?

  • hotbbq

    OMG the horror!!!!!

    Coming up at 11:00 PM, sources confirm that rich well-connected people get better seats at local restaurants.

  • grape_crush

    And, despite the fact it’s been going on for decades, it’s gotta be Obama’s fault, right?

  • rose83

    I can’t say exactly why, but I find this heartbreaking.

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    The fact that the corruption that pollutes all of Washington has now been explicitly confirmed to pollute the military even though we somewhat suspected it to begin with but always held out hope?

  • certifiablylazy

    It’s not the corruption of the military that bothers me (nothing new there), it’s the corruption of death, in of all places ANC.

  • tstar3

    As they would say in the streets, give “props” where props is due. This is a story,MS stick to this..and not that innuendo trash a few posts earlier. It is really a shame, that the most basic honor afforded to veterans can turn out to be a scandal. Can’t say I’m surprised. Some of the people that work in government should not even be allowed to feed themselves.

  • rose83

    I agree, this sense that corruption continues after death is especially depressing. Although it’s true that I can’t say I’m surprised.

  • apr2563

    It is heartbreaking. And, I am surprised. I would have thought internment in Arlington would be a sacred trust.

  • apr2563

    Ike Skelton is one of the worst of the worst. Read the Salon report.

  • Ivy_B

    I agree, MS. This is much more worthy of your talent.

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