We visited Arlington National Cemetery to uncover the fascinating scenes and precise procedures that help keep one of the nation's most prestigious cemeteries running smoothly. Look and listen to what we found.
A CAISSON SOLDIER’S DAY
BEGINS AT 4 A.M.
Since 1948, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) has represented the Army in ceremonies and special events, including military funerals at Arlington. As many as 30 funerals can be performed each day, and up to eight can be with a horse-drawn caisson.
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THE CAISSONS ARE NOT REPLICAS
The caisson teams pull a model 1918 limber and carriage that were used by the horse-mounted artillery in World War I. The caissons are not replicas. They have been found and purchased at auction throughout the U.S. and all may have seen service on the battlefields in that war.
SENTINELS INCORPORATE 21
AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY
The sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier incorporate “21” as they keep guard. They march 21 steps behind the tomb and pause 21 seconds; there are 21 counts during the guard changes. It reflects the 21-gun salute, the highest military honor.
The guns used are World War II-era 75mm howitzers.
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Salute Guns Platoon fires salutes to honor foreign dignitaries and heads of state at the White House, the Pentagon and at Arlington. Soldiers fire the final salutes at the cemetery. This recent 19-gun salute was for the visiting French minister of defense.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SALUTE BATTERY IS CAREFULLY TIMED
The two-man team at each gun consists of a gunner and a loader. The guns have been “demilled” meaning they can no longer take live rounds. They fire ceremonial rounds. A backup gun, right, is employed in the event of a malfunction.
SOLDIERS PLACE FLAGS ON ALL GRAVES
On the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers from the Old Guard carefully place small flags at all the graves in Arlington to honor the fallen. The ceremony is called “Flags In.” Last year, 1,200 soldiers placed flags on 220,000 graves.
The cemetery is now over three times its original size.
The cemetery is on land once owned by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s wife. At the beginning of the Civil War, the federal government realized the strategic value of the 1,100-acre estate across the Potomac River and appropriated it for military use. Part of the property became home to slaves who had escaped the war; another section became a cemetery to bury the growing number of war dead.
Credits
- Stephen Carney
- Melissa Bohan
- Staff Sgt. Ben K. Navratil
- Staff Sgt. John S. Ford
- Staff Sgt. Rob Petry
- Spc. Ryan Lorentz
- Staff Sgt. Sean Fowler
- command historian
Arlington National Cemetery - public affairs specialist
Arlington National Cemetery - Regiment Public Affairs
NCOIC - Caisson Operations NCO
3rd U.S. Infantry Caisson Platoon - relief commander, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) - Presidential Salute Battery
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) - platoon sergeant, Honor Guard Company
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
Produced by
Denny Gainer, Joan Murphy, Tory Hargro, Jeff Dionise, Chad Palmer and Mitchell Thorson, USA TODAY, WUSA9, Washington, D.C.
