Why Are Some Headstones At Arlington Different?

Pre World War I era headstones are

inscribed

differently. The Civil War Union shield is available for those who served in the Civil War fighting for the Union, or for those who served in the Spanish American War. … Confederate soldiers from the Civil War also have distinct markers.

Who makes headstones for Arlington National Cemetery?

The small rectangular white marble markers are issued by

the Department of Veteran Affairs

. They are free to service members for their service to the country. Today, the government-issued headstones are 24 inches tall, 4 inches thick, 13 inches wide and they weigh about 230 pounds.

What do the letters USCT represent on a headstone at Arlington?

There is also 1,500 graves of soldiers in the United States Colored Troops. Their graves are marked with the initials U.S.C.T.

The first military serviceman buried in Section 27

was Private William Henry Christman, of the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry, was interred in Arlington National Cemetery on May 13, 1864.

Why are there rocks on headstones at Arlington Cemetery?

As visitors walk through Arlington National Cemetery en route to the Tomb of the Unknowns or John F. Kennedy’s grave, they often ask why rocks are atop tombstones. Simply, it’s

a Jewish tradition

. Rocks serve as a reminder of one’s visit to a grave much like Christians leave flowers.

What are the different types of headstones?

Conclusion: Popular Types of Headstones

Slant Headstones

.

Flat & Bevel Headstones

.

Bench Headstones

.

Wing Headstones

.

Why are graves facing East?

The concept of being buried facing east to

represent meeting the new day or the next life

is also evident in Christianity and Christian burials. … Most Christians tend to bury their dead facing east. This is because they believe in the second coming of Christ and scripture teaches that he will come from the east.

What does a cross with a circle around it mean on a headstone?

The most common is the Latin Cross. On some headstones this cross is inscribed in a circle, this is not a different symbol but rather an earlier engraver. …

Representing the Christian faith

, this is the most commonly seen religious symbol.

What does a star on a headstone mean?

In headstone inscriptions, stars represent

divine guidance

.

What does ph mean on a military headstone?

OLC – Oak Leaf Cluster (generally appears in conjunction with another award) PH –

Purple Heart

.

POWM – Prisoner of War Medal

. SM – Soldiers Medal. SS or SSM – Silver Star or Silver Star Medal.

How many graves are left at Arlington?

Today,

approximately 400,000 veterans

and their eligible dependents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Service members from every one of America’s major wars, from the Revolutionary War to today’s conflicts, are interred at ANC. As a result, the history of our nation is reflected on the grounds of the cemetery.

Can a wife be buried in Arlington?

—The remains of the following individuals may be buried in Arlington National Cemetery: ”(1) The spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and, at the discretion of the Superintendent, unmarried adult child of a person listed in subsection (a), but

only if buried in the same gravesite as that person

.

What are the crosses at Arlington made of?

3. What are the headstones made of and why do they look the way they do? Made of

either Georgia or Vermont marble

, the headstones weigh 250 lbs., are 4 inches deep, 13 inches wide and 42 inches tall.

How many bodies are buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

Who Is Buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

Four people

have been buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one each for World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. However, the body buried on behalf of soldiers in Vietnam was later exhumed.

What type of headstone lasts the longest?

For this reason,

granite

is the most durable headstone material. But despite its natural strength, not all granite is the same in terms of reliability. Grade is the term used to signify granite quality, and it reflects: Durability.

Whats the difference between a gravestone and a headstone?

“Gravestone” is the older word, being used from the late 1300s, and “tombstone” is from the mid-1500s. A headstone, as the word implies, referred to a grave marker placed at the head of a grave. … Some gravesites also have a footstone, which, as the word implies, is a stone marker placed at the foot of a grave.

What is the difference between a gravestone and a tombstone?

Originally, a tombstone was the stone lid of a stone coffin, or the coffin itself, and a gravestone was

the stone slab that was laid over a grave

. Now, all three terms are also used for markers placed at the head of the grave.

Why are headstones at the feet?

A footstone or foot marker is a flat square monument made of stone that sits at the foot-end of a grave. They were originally commissioned together with

a headstone to signal the length of a burial site

.

Why are Confederate headstones pointed?

There is a myth that the Confederate headstones are pointed to prevent union service members from sitting on top of them out of disrespect. However, the real reason that they are pointed is

simply to distinguish them from the rest of the markers in the cemetery

.

Why do caskets open on the left?

During a wake or open-casket visitation, only the “head section” (the left side of the casket in the photo above)

is opened for viewing

, revealing the upper half of the deceased’s body. Both sections of the casket’s lid open, however, to facilitate placement of the body within by funeral service professionals.

Why do coffins explode?

But dead bodies have a tendency to rot, and when they do so above ground, the consequences are – to put it nicely — unpleasant. … When

the weather turns warm

, in some cases, that sealed casket becomes a pressure cooker and bursts from accumulated gases and fluids of the decomposing body.

Do headstones face a certain direction?

Most cemeteries bury husbands on the south side of a burial plot, with their wives on the north. The other key factor, Delp notes, is that headstones can face east or west. The direction they face makes a big difference. … But in most cemeteries,

headstones face east

, which puts husbands to the left of their wives.

Why is a cross put on graves?

Countless numbers of our ancestors were Christians who viewed the cross as

a symbol of faith in Christ and hope in the atonement

. Even before Christians adopted the cross as a symbol, the Druids of ancient Celtic cultures used the same symbol.

What does Ivy mean on a gravestone?

Ivy carved into a tombstone is said to represent

friendship, fidelity and immortality

. The hardy, evergreen leaf of the ivy denotes immortality and rebirth or regeneration.

What does the rabbit symbolize in the grave?

Both graves produce treasure; both contribute in some obscure fashion to the last scene of the story. But it must always be remembered that the rabbit is simultaneously a

symbol of generation and life

.

What does skull and crossbones on a grave mean?

Skull and crossbones is a symbol of a human skull with two long bones crossed below it. … Skull and crossbones (symbol), as

a symbol of death

and especially as a memento mori on tombstones, a warning symbol of poisonous substances and danger.

What does SS mean on a military headstone?

Can non veterans be buried at Arlington?

The requirements for inurnment, as it is called, are much less stringent and anyone who qualifies for burial can also be inurned in the columbarium. However, essentially anyone

who has served in the military

, including the reserves, and has been honorably discharged can be inurned in the columbarium.

Who is the most famous person buried in Arlington National Cemetery?

George C.

Marshall

is arguably one of the most important men buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Marshall was the Chief of Staff of the US Army during WWII, directing the largest expansion of Army forces in the history of the United States from less than 200,000 to more than 8 million soldiers.

How much does it cost to be buried in Arlington Cemetery?

There are no fees or costs for a burial or inurnment

. However, all costs associated with preparation of the remains, casket or urn, and shipping of the remains to the Washington, DC area are at the expense of the estate unless the deceased is currently on active duty.

What does Gar mean on a grave?

Grave Markers with F.C.L.

Also known simply as GAR,

the Grand Army of the Republic

is a fraternal organization of veterans of the Union Army who served in the American Civil War.

What does the R in veteran stand for?

R — Resolve. I don’t doubt that each and every veteran has strived to be the best in all he or she has done. The “R” in the acronym can also mean “

remembrance

.” Military veterans know it’s important to never forget the sacrifices that have been made to protect this country.

Is there a body in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

After a long moment of silence, President Eisenhower placed a Medal of Honor on each casket. Many years later, in 1984, the final unknown soldier from the Vietnam War was laid to rest; however, because of advances in genetic science and DNA technology,

the body was exhumed in 1998 and tested

.

Which president is not buried in Arlington National Cemetery?

Taft

, September 15, 2020. Only two U.S. presidents, William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Who gets buried in Arlington?

Soldiers who die while on active duty, retired members of the Armed Forces,

and certain Veterans and Family members

are eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Where is JFK buried?

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and two Kennedy infants are interred in Lot 45, Section 30, Arlington National Cemetery. The permanent graves are located about 20 feet east of the site where the President was temporarily interred on 25 November 1963.

Can you mail cremated remains to Arlington National Cemetery?

Arlington does not accept cremated remains by mail

.

Urns should be no larger than 9′′ x 9′′ x 9′′ (not including companion urns). If the urn purchased by the family exceeds this size, please inform ANC staff prior to the interment date.

Where is Robert E Lee buried?

The horse that was his closest companion during war now became his instrument in finding peace. Not long after General Lee’s death in October, 1870, Traveller stepped on a rusty nail in his stall and died of tetanus. He is buried

within yards of his master, just outside the Lee Chapel in Lexington

.

How many burials does Arlington have?

How do they cut the grass at Arlington Cemetery?

Water-Wise Approach

: Arlington is adopting a water-wise or Xeriscaping approach using ornamental grasses and other native plants that don’t require as much water once they are established.

What lasts longer granite or marble?

In general,

granite

is very durable, stain-resistant and lower maintenance than marble.

What color headstone lasts the longest?

#1 –

Bronze Headstone

Material

Bronze markers are made in a foundry using an alloy made up of 80% copper + 20% metal that lasts for a very long time. Today’s bronze memorials need not be boring!

How long should lettering on a headstone last?

Marble was one of the first types of stone to be imported for use as memorials and for sculpture. But it tends to erode when exposed, especially in salty air or acidic rain. However, provided lettering is carved into the marble materials properly, it should still be

readable for many years

.