Arlington, Virginia. (May 22, 2025): In this photo by Elizabeth Fraser, a Soldier from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) places flags at gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day. Nearly 1,500 troopers placed over 260,000 American flags over the headstones of the fallen during the 77th annual “Flags In” ceremony.
To most Americans, Arlington National Cemetery is a symbol of our commitment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but it did not start out that way. In fact, the land that would become the world’s most famous graveyard was originally in “enemy” hands. The property was originally owned by George Washington Parke Custis, the step-grandson of Washington himself. His daughter married then Union Army 1st Lieutenant Robert E. Lee (yes, that Lee) who later led the Confederate States Army in the Civil War. Federal forces seized the property when the owner failed to pay property taxes, and the government declared Arlington a national cemetery.
Today, Arlington spans 639 acres and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans, and their families. Arlington House still stands, its furniture and many of its paintings still on display with facts about Lee’s family and the plantation’s odd history. Arlington is also home to the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that houses the remains of soldiers from both world wars, the Korean War, and a now-empty crypt from the Vietnam War. Service members have guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier perpetually since 1937, no matter what the conditions. The changing of the guard is a popular attraction for visitors, occurring every 30 minutes during the summer months.
To be eligible for burial at Arlington, a person must have died while on active duty, be retired military on a pension, a recipient of the Purple Heart or higher, or any honorable discharged Prisoner of War. Two former U.S. Presidents are buried at Arlington, John Kennedy and William Howard Taff with other notables include Jackie Onasis, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.