National Cemeterys

The national cemetery system was established in 1862, during the Civil War. That year, Congress granted President Abraham Lincoln permission to establish cemeteries for Union Army veterans.

The government maintains 129 national cemeteries throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. More than 50 of them have no space for additional graves. Almost 2 million people are buried in national cemeteries.

Four government agencies operate the national cemeteries. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 114 of the cemeteries. The National Park Service is responsible for 14 national cemeteries that are part of historic sites. The Department of the Army operates 2 cemeteries--Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., and Soldiers Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains all U.S. military cemeteries outside the United States and its possessions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides headstones and markers for all graves in national cemeteries and for all graves of veterans that do not have them. These graves include those of Civil War soldiers.

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the largest and most famous national cemeteries in the United States. It covers about 612 acres (248 hectares) in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The cemetery surrounds The Robert E. Lee Memorial, which was the home of General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army. It occupies land that was once a part of the estate of Lee's wife, Mary Custis Lee. The United States government made Arlington a national cemetery in 1864.

Spaces in the cemeteries are available for honorably discharged winners of the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Purple Heart, or Silver Star; members of the armed services who die on active duty; certain disabled veterans; members of the armed forces who have served long enough to be officially retired; and honorably discharged veterans who have held a federal elective office or a Cabinet-level position, or who have served on the Supreme Court. Their wives or husbands and their minor children are also eligible. Until 1967, all honorably discharged veterans could be buried in the cemetery.

The grave of President John F. Kennedy, marked by an eternal flame, lies on a hillside near The Robert E. Lee Memorial. Kennedy and William Howard Taft are the only Presidents buried in Arlington.

The Tomb of the Unknowns of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War is located in Arlington. Wreaths are placed at this tomb on national holidays and during visits of dignitaries.

The tomb is now empty. The remains, of this unknown soldier, were identified through DNA testing, a technology unavailable at the time of his burial, and found to be Michael Joseph Blassie.

The unknown soldier was one of four war dead taken from American cemeteries in France. An American soldier, Sergeant Edward Younger, selected the soldier from these four. The remains were brought to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. On Armistice Day (Nov. 11), 1921, they were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The tomb, completed in 1931, has a white marble sarcophagus over the grave bearing the inscription, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

Congress later directed that an "Unknown American" from each of three wars--World War II (1939-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and the Vietnam War (1957-1973)--be buried beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The World War II and Korean War unknowns were buried in marble-capped crypts at the head of the tomb on Memorial Day in 1958. The unknown serviceman of the Vietnam War was buried between them during a Memorial Day ceremony in 1984.

An honor guard from the 1st Battalion Group, 3rd Infantry, Fort Myer, Virginia, keeps a sentry on duty at all times. The sentry is changed every hour during the day between October 1 and March 31, and every half hour between April 1 and September 30. The sentry is changed every two hours at night.

Flag Etiquette

The U.S. Code is more strict about some aspects of handling the flag than contemporary culture demands-it states, for example, that the flag should not be "printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."

Our society has interpreted some of the rules rather loosely because we're enthusiastic about displaying our national symbol. Nevertheless, some important rules of decorum should be followed.

Ideally, an American flag on your house should hang from a staff that angles out from the front wall, a windowsill, or balcony. It's a good idea to screw a bracket made for holding a flagstaff to the trim. Fasten it securely so your flag won't become soiled or damaged.

Do not allow the flag to touch the ground, floor, water, or anything else beneath it.

It's also appropriate to hang the flag from a horizontal staff. Whether the flag hangs from an angled or horizontal staff, be sure the union or canton (the rectangle with the stars) is at the peak. (Hanging the flag with the union down signals extreme distress.)

When the flag is displayed horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be at the top and to your left.

When displayed in a window, the flag should be hung so that the union is on the left when you see it from the street.

The American flag is meant to be a flag; don't use it for any other purpose. For example, don't use it as drapery, ceiling decoration, or as a bed spread. And never use it as a receptacle for carrying or holding anything.

Though it is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset, the U.S. Code says that "when a patriotic effect is desired," you can display it around the clock. If you do, you should illuminate it with a light.

If you display the American flag next to other flags or pennants, place it on the right side of another single flag or at the center of a group and slightly higher than the other flags. If an American flag is on the same staff as other flags, it should always be at the top. Other flags should not be in positions of greater prominence or honor.

When displayed from a car, the flagstaff should be fixed or clamped firmly to the vehicle, ideally on the right side. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back.

It is not meant to be apparel, do not wear a United States flag. If you wear a lapel flag, pin it on the left side, near your heart.

Gold trim is found on ceremonial flags, used indoors only. They originally were used on military flags. The fringe has no specific significance, but is considered completely within the guidelines of proper flag etiquette. There is nothing in the flag code indicating that the fringe is for federal government flags only. The Internet contains many sites that claim that the fringe indicates martial law or that the Constitution does not apply in that area. This is entirely unfounded and should be dismissed as urban legends.

Why bother with flag etiquette when you're excited about flying the Stars and Stripes?

For more than two hundred years, many men and women have died for the flag, the symbol of our country. Military, firemen, police, and other service personnel have practiced these measures faithfully, treating our flag with the highest esteem. This is one way we can show respect and meet the high standard they have set.

The Tin Chicken

The Music Site for music of the 20's and 30's.

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