Arlington National Cemetery is a sacred place of remembrance for the thousands of U.S. soldiers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is also the final resting place for two U.S. presidents: William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy.
Taft, who served as president from 1909 to 1913, died in 1930 and was buried at Arlington with full military honors. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, was also laid to rest at Arlington. His eternal flame burns brightly at his gravesite, which is visited by millions of people each year.
Visitors to Arlington can also pay their respects at the graves of other notable figures, including Supreme Court justices, astronauts, and Medal of Honor recipients. But if you want to visit the graves of other U.S. presidents, you'll have to plan a trip that traverses the entire country.
Recently, there has been controversy surrounding a proposed Pentagon rule change that would allow presidents and vice presidents who haven't served in the military to be buried at Arlington. Currently, only those who have served in the military or who have received certain honors, such as the Medal of Honor, are eligible for burial at Arlington.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation to block this rule change, arguing that it would diminish the significance of Arlington and the sacrifices made by those who are buried there. "Arlington National Cemetery is a place for those who served our nation with honor and made the ultimate sacrifice," Duckworth said in a statement. "It should not be treated as a parking lot for politicians."
The controversy over the proposed rule change is just one example of the ongoing debate over who should be eligible for burial at Arlington. In recent years, there has been a push to expand eligibility to include more veterans and their family members. However, some argue that this could lead to overcrowding at the cemetery and diminish its significance.
Another recent controversy involves a bill introduced by House Democrats that would prohibit the use of federal funds for the commemoration of certain former presidents. Though the bill doesn't mention any names, it appears to be directed at former President Donald Trump, who was impeached twice during his time in office.
The "No Glory for Hate Act" would prevent federal funds from being used to build or maintain any monument, statue, or other structure that honors a former president who has been impeached twice. The bill has been met with backlash from some Republicans, who argue that it is politically motivated and an infringement on free speech.
Despite these controversies, Arlington National Cemetery remains a place of solemn remembrance for those who have served our country. As we honor fallen U.S. soldiers on Memorial Day and throughout the year, we should also remember the sacrifices made by those who are buried at Arlington and the significance of this hallowed ground.
