The Arlington National Cemetery symbol on the gate between Fort Myer Henderson Hall and Arlington National Cemetery. This gate serves as the entrance point for honored veterans and family members passing into the cemetery from services held at The Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer.

Continue ReadingThe Arlington National Cemetery symbol on the gate between Fort Myer Henderson Hall and Arlington National Cemetery. This gate serves as the entrance point for honored veterans and family members passing into the cemetery from services held at The Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer.

Sailors stand waiting for a full honors service at Marshall Transfer in Arlington National Cemetery. Marshall Transfer was named after US Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall. Appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court justice, and the only black justice during his 24-year tenure. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall attended segregated public schools and experienced racism firsthand. Rejected from the University of Maryland School of Law because he was black, Marshall attended Howard University Law School, graduating first in his class in 1933. After graduation, Marshall began practicing law in his hometown of Baltimore. In his first major court victory, in 1935 he successfully sued the University of Maryland Law School for denying admission to a black applicant on the grounds of race. In 1940, he founded and served as executive director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In that position, he argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court — including Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which held that the racial segregation of public schools violated the Constitution. Marshall won 29 of the 32 cases that he argued before the Supreme Court. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Marshall to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and in 1965 President Johnson appointed him as Solicitor General — making him, at the time, the highest-ranking black government official in U.S. history. On the Supreme Court, Marshall consistently defended the constitutional protection of individual rights, including the rights of criminal defendants. He also continued advocating for the civil rights of African Americans and other minorities. He famously described his legal philosophy as, “You do what you think is right, and the law will catch up.” Marshall’s clerks included current Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and such renowned law professors as Cass Sunstein and Randall L. Kennedy.

Continue ReadingSailors stand waiting for a full honors service at Marshall Transfer in Arlington National Cemetery. Marshall Transfer was named after US Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall. Appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court justice, and the only black justice during his 24-year tenure. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall attended segregated public schools and experienced racism firsthand. Rejected from the University of Maryland School of Law because he was black, Marshall attended Howard University Law School, graduating first in his class in 1933. After graduation, Marshall began practicing law in his hometown of Baltimore. In his first major court victory, in 1935 he successfully sued the University of Maryland Law School for denying admission to a black applicant on the grounds of race. In 1940, he founded and served as executive director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In that position, he argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court — including Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which held that the racial segregation of public schools violated the Constitution. Marshall won 29 of the 32 cases that he argued before the Supreme Court. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Marshall to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and in 1965 President Johnson appointed him as Solicitor General — making him, at the time, the highest-ranking black government official in U.S. history. On the Supreme Court, Marshall consistently defended the constitutional protection of individual rights, including the rights of criminal defendants. He also continued advocating for the civil rights of African Americans and other minorities. He famously described his legal philosophy as, “You do what you think is right, and the law will catch up.” Marshall’s clerks included current Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and such renowned law professors as Cass Sunstein and Randall L. Kennedy.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands on the top of a hill overlooking Washington DC in Arlington National Cemetery. Congress approved the burial of an unidentified World War I soldier in the plaza of the then-new Memorial Amphitheater in 1921. The white marble sarcophagus has three Greek figures sculpted on the side representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. There are also six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, that represent the six major campaigns of World War I. On the back on the tomb, there is an inscription that reads: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Continue ReadingThe Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands on the top of a hill overlooking Washington DC in Arlington National Cemetery. Congress approved the burial of an unidentified World War I soldier in the plaza of the then-new Memorial Amphitheater in 1921. The white marble sarcophagus has three Greek figures sculpted on the side representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. There are also six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, that represent the six major campaigns of World War I. On the back on the tomb, there is an inscription that reads: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies the Memorial Amphitheater. Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920. While Memorial Day ceremonies are held throughout the United States, many consider the services at Memorial Amphitheater to be the nation’s official ceremony honoring American service members. The president of the United States traditionally gives an address during Memorial Day ceremonies at the amphitheater. A copper box placed in the cornerstone contains copies of the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; a U.S. flag; designs and plans for the amphitheater; a map of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s design for Washington, D.C.; one of each U.S. coin and postage stamp in use in 1915; an autographed photo of President Woodrow Wilson; and other documents pertaining to the history of the amphitheater and the nation’s capital.

Continue ReadingBehind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies the Memorial Amphitheater. Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920. While Memorial Day ceremonies are held throughout the United States, many consider the services at Memorial Amphitheater to be the nation’s official ceremony honoring American service members. The president of the United States traditionally gives an address during Memorial Day ceremonies at the amphitheater. A copper box placed in the cornerstone contains copies of the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; a U.S. flag; designs and plans for the amphitheater; a map of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s design for Washington, D.C.; one of each U.S. coin and postage stamp in use in 1915; an autographed photo of President Woodrow Wilson; and other documents pertaining to the history of the amphitheater and the nation’s capital.

A flag is carefully folded during a section in the Millennium Section of Arlington National Cemetery. The Millennium expansion allows for the growth of this national memorial and provides 31,000 new burial spaces and structures, extensive stream restoration, landscape design, retaining walls, perimeter fencing, and vehicle and pedestrian access roads and walkways, all carefully designed to honor the site’s historic character. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Continue ReadingA flag is carefully folded during a section in the Millennium Section of Arlington National Cemetery. The Millennium expansion allows for the growth of this national memorial and provides 31,000 new burial spaces and structures, extensive stream restoration, landscape design, retaining walls, perimeter fencing, and vehicle and pedestrian access roads and walkways, all carefully designed to honor the site’s historic character. PC: @arlingtonmedia