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Arlington National Cemetery (USA): history, description

To walk around the cemetery? Imagine, yes. In Western Europe, there is a tradition to break beautiful parks in the place of rest of people. Such cemeteries are not at all similar to gloomy Orthodox churchyards with rows of crosses. They are pleasant to walk on. The atmosphere involuntarily sets the mind to philosophical harmony. But the Arlington National Cemetery (United States of America) is not quite a park. There are no spreading plane trees, as in the Parisian Pere Lachaise. You will not see here in large numbers and beautiful tombstones, family crypts and other "small architectural forms", as in most ancient cemeteries in Europe. The space in two and a half square kilometers is occupied by identical vertical standing white plates with inscriptions. But nevertheless, this cemetery is one of the "mascots" for tourists coming to Washington. Why? You will learn about this from this article.

Arlington National Cemetery: History

Once upon a time there was the estate of the wealthy Kastis family. Maria Anna, getting married to General Robert Lee, received it as a dowry. The spouses lived, lived in Arlington House, until the Confederations war broke out. President Abraham Lincoln instructed General Lee to lead the troops of the northerners. The same, although he was an opponent of slavery and advocated the preservation of the Union, could not oppose the state of Virginia. Therefore, he moved to the side of southerners. Washington was already an overpopulated city by that time. Burying the fallen unionists in battle lacked space. Then Brigadier General Montgomery Meigs put forward a proposal to confiscate the land from traitor Lee. So Arlington National Cemetery appeared. The first burials began to be produced in 1865, right in the Maria Anne's rose garden, at the very entrance to the house. The calculation was such as to prevent the spouses from returning to the estate after the war.

Turning into a national memorial

By the end of the Civil War, around the house there were already about sixteen thousand graves. The couple filed suit, which was satisfied by the US Supreme Court. But General Lee decided to sell the house for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. And the government decided to turn the Arlington National Cemetery, which during the Civil War was buried not only by soldiers, but also by residents of the surrounding places, the Memorial of Glory. In the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America (paragraph 553, article 2), a section was introduced on the rules of burial. Rather, it was an exceptional list of categories of persons who could be awarded the honor of burial at Arlington Cemetery. These are the presidents of the country, the soldiers who fell in battle, the US military, the Presidents of the Supreme Court and those who were awarded medals of Honor, Silver Star, Purple Heart and the Cross for Excellence.

Celebrities of Arlington National Cemetery

Now the "population of the city of the dead" is more than forty thousand people. In addition, the cemetery still operates. Every day about thirty funerals take place on it. The deceased is transported on a hearse, accompanied by a mounted costumed escort. The funeral procession, as well as the change of guard of honor at the grave of an unknown soldier - the main tourist attractions. But if the last ceremony (introduced in 1921) will remain in the centuries, then burials will stop in 2025. And the Arlington National Cemetery will turn into a memorial. Already, there is a rule excluding the burial of those who committed serious crimes. It was introduced in 2001 after it became clear that retired military Timothy McWay, who was executed for committing a terrorist act, has every right to be buried in Arlington Cemetery. The lion's share of the graves is the last resting place of the military. But there are bright exceptions. For example, Glenn Miller. His grave under the tombstone is empty - after all the body of a jazz musician has never been found. Found here rest and astronauts, actors, the famous cardiosurgeon. Not to mention the US politicians.

As the Arlington National Cemetery looks like now (Virginia)

The lion's share of the graves are the same small tombstones. But they are arranged so that from any point of view they form perfectly regular straight lines. Considering the hilly terrain, it was not easy to achieve this. Special privileges are enjoyed by US presidents and members of their families, as well as the very first "settlers" of the cemetery. Their graves stand out for their originality. There are equestrian monuments. Rules allow you to indicate on the gravestones the symbols of the confession of the buried. At the Arlington Cemetery, you can conduct statistical studies of the world's religions. Here you can see even a pentacle - a symbol of the new-language Vic religion. The city of the dead has its avenues and streets. The administration of the cemetery promises to soon release an application for mobile phones to search for graves. For now, at the crossroads, there are usual pointers to important places.

What to see at Arlington National Cemetery

Two American presidents, John Kennedy and William Taft, found peace here. Previously, state husbands were buried in other significant memorial places. But after the assassination of Kennedy, his widow, Jacqueline, decided that people should come to the beloved president. She is also buried next to her husband, as are the two brothers of John - Ted and Bob. At the tomb of Kennedy, the Eternal Flame is burning. What is the most attractive Arlington National Cemetery? Arlington House, the former estate of the Leigh couple, still rises on a hill. From it, there are beautiful views of Washington. Arlington House works as a museum. Nearby is the old part of the cemetery with beautiful tombstones. It is also necessary to visit the Memorial Amphitheater, built of white marble. In the days of Memory and Veterans, solemn ceremonies are held in it with the participation of the President and other state officials. Next to the Memorial Amphitheater is the grave of an unknown soldier who died in the First World War. In front of it are three more plates. These are the graves of unknown fighters of the Second World, Korean and Vietnamese wars.

How to get there

The starting point is best to elect the city of Washington. Arlington National Cemetery, although it is listed in the state of Virginia, is located from it directly behind the Potomac River. Motorists should cross the Bridge of Reconciliation of the South and North. From Washington there is a blue branch line. The station is called Arlington National Cemetery.

Reviews

Tourists recommend dedicating a couple of hours of this sight. The entrance to the cemetery is absolutely free. For a fee, you can take a bus with an open top platform. It runs throughout the territory, making stops in significant places of the cemetery. You can also book a guided tour.

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