They Served With Honor

In this letter written by Elaine Harmon, a WWII female pilot, she states her wishes to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Because of an Army policy barring WWII women pilots from being buried at Arlington, Harmon's ashes remain in a closet in her home while her family battles to change the policy. Harmon died last April at the age of 95.

Arlington Memorial Bridge

The Arlington Memorial Bridge is pictured in 1931 during its' construction over the Potomac River. The Lincoln Memorial can be seen at the photo's edge on the left just beyond the bridge. In November 1963, the funeral procession for President John F. Kennedy crossed Memorial Bridge in route to Arlington National Cemetery, which is located just beyond the bridge in Arlington, Virginia.

Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

A lone soldier stands guard over the unfinished Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in 1928.

The Iwo Jima Memorial

In September 1954, workmen begin erecting the Iwo Jima Memorial, located just outside of Arlington National Cemetery. Originally cast in Brooklyn, NY, the massive statues were transported on large flatbed trailers down Interstate 95 to Arlington, VA.

Unknown Soldiers

In a ceremony pictured aboard the USS Canberra on May 20, 1958, the selection of the World War II Unknown Serviceman and the Korean War Unknown Serviceman is taking place. The Korean War Unknown is in the center casket, while the two World War II candidates are on either side. The Korean War Unknown and the World War II Unknown on the far right were selected and taken to Arlington National Cemetery for internment. The other World War II Unknown Serviceman was buried at sea.

The USS Maine

The USS Maine sailed into Havana Harbor on January 1, 1898 on a mission to assist in curtailing gorilla activities in the Spanish controlled colony of Cuba. On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded and sank while in Havana Harbor. Events as a result would lead up to the Spanish American War.

The ship was re-floated and eventually towed out to sea where it was ceremoniously sank. One of the USS Maine's masts now makes up a memorial to her and her fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. The Maine Mast Memorial was officially dedicated on February 15, 1915.

(To read more about the USS Maine, and view more images of this historic ship, simply click the post title above.)