The United States maintains a vast network of military cemeteries that honor the men and women who served their country. From the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery to small veterans' sections in local cemeteries, these sites are among the most visited and carefully maintained in the nation.
Arlington National Cemetery
Established in 1864 during the Civil War, when Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs selected the estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee as a burial site for Union soldiers. On May 13, 1864, Private William Henry Christman became the first soldier buried there. Today, Arlington spans over 600 acres in Arlington, Virginia, with more than 400,000 graves.
National Cemetery System
The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 155 national cemeteries, providing free burial for eligible veterans and spouses:
- Gravesite or columbarium niche at no cost
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Government-furnished headstone or marker
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Burial flag
Notable Military Cemeteries
- Gettysburg National Cemetery (Pennsylvania) -- Dedicated by Lincoln in 1863 with the Gettysburg Address
- Normandy American Cemetery (France) -- 9,388 American graves from D-Day
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Hawaii) -- "Punchbowl" crater, 53,000+ interments
- Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (California) -- Overlooking the Pacific in San Diego
Visiting Military Cemeteries
Military cemeteries are open to the public. Follow standard cemetery etiquette, and note that coins left on military graves carry specific meanings.
Eligibility: Most veterans with an honorable discharge qualify for free burial at a national cemetery. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit cem.va.gov.
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