Arlington Cemetery Officials Knew About Discarded Tombstones Found In Stream

The Washington Post:

Officials at Arlington National Cemetery were aware that discarded tombstones were lining the banks of a small stream on the grounds for more than a decade but left them in the mud, officials said Tuesday.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post

Comments

[1differentdrummer]

10:14 AM on 06/24/2010

Are you telling me the army cannot even run a cemetery?

[KIVPossum]

09:13 AM on 06/24/2010

unused stones used to stop erosion isn't a problem

mislabeling graves and losing ashes is a big problem

[morgan1]

07:59 AM on 06/24/2010

I especially love the part where he was relieved of duty and reprimanded--Reckon that means he kept his pension and will land in the private sector at a higher paying position. He should have been fired and all benefits lost. No one is ever really punished for their criminal (And that is what this is) conduct. Welcome to our world. Think what the new generations must be thinking: I can do anything and get away with it.

[NoahVail]

07:51 AM on 06/24/2010

Its sad to see how grieving relatives try to legitimize the deaths of their loved ones, regardless of how senseless their loss. War always represents failure- even the threat of war is a failure. What is even more sad is that this grief feeds into jingoism and nationalism that results in even more gravestones. Every gravestone that is put into Arlington should be part of our shame, not some macabre celebration of nationalism.

[1differentdrummer]

10:11 AM on 06/24/2010

I understand your point and agree with it somewhat, but those troops are still dead. Seems to me that a sprawling cemetery is a poor use of land. Is there no other option?

[NoahVail]

10:41 AM on 06/24/2010

Generally speaking, most cemeteries become parks. If you think people are upset by the missing tombstones, imagine how upset they would be if you tried to grow corn over grandpa.

[jcd8822]

06:08 PM on 06/23/2010

"An Army investigation released this month found a "dysfunctional" and chaotic management system that led to the mislabeling of more than 200 graves and the dumping of at least four urns in a dirt pile."

They never did state if the urns had been used or conatined any remains. Not very good reporting.

[ChiGuy]

11:08 PM on 06/23/2010

I thought the article was quite clear.

"...the dumping of at least four urns in a dirt pile."

That indicates to me that the contents were dumped into the dirt pile. Not the urns themselves.

[Santamonicaboulevard]

05:40 PM on 06/23/2010

I think this is "much ado about nothing". Stones, discarded stones, used for erosion control...what's the problem?

[v eyepete]

03:13 PM on 06/23/2010

If the stones were replaced, because they were updated or added to and the new ones still mark the original grave, then the older head stones have been recycled. They should have just been turned with their blank side facing outward if they were used to line the stream. It would be nice it they were made into a public art project, such as a wall of honor on the grounds along with a registry of names recorded. That would be a fitting way to honor the names of our fighting men who's grave they once marked.

[trishinpitt]

01:22 PM on 07/29/2010

I agree. I think this would be much more despicable if the stones hadn't been replaced. But we are placing a much heavier value to these stones than really necessary. I'd be more concerned that they make sure the information was transferred from one stone to another and it's placed back on the correct grave, etc. The replaced stone is history but not really sacred.

[hypyrwyf]

02:18 PM on 06/23/2010

I guess I would need to know more about the "discarded" tombstones before I could get mad. How do they end up discarded? I suppose the process of inscribing a tombstone is some sort of consecration of it, otherwise, it is granite after all. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, granite to granite? I don't mean to be flip. However, it does sound like the previous management was a mess, and I'm glad they're getting put back in order.

[1Tootie]

01:35 PM on 06/24/2010

This nothing new , my Civil War Vet, Great Uncle died in 1873 of T.B. He suffered lobng & hard ,
he was buried at Oakland Cem. in Little Rock,AR, Well his grave along with many more were plowed into a ditch & forgotten Our request for answers go noplace.

Move along nothing to see here !!!
Mark ,Chicago

[christopherflynn]

01:53 PM on 06/23/2010

"Let it be............"

[jsuperconductor]

01:45 PM on 06/23/2010

why anyone would join our volunteer military, I'll never know. I'd rather starve to death

[CDRUSNret]

03:04 PM on 06/23/2010

Thankfully, many people don't think that way.

[satanlite]

01:13 PM on 06/23/2010

Funny how many Republican administrations knew all about this and gave it the A OK.

[CDRUSNret]

03:11 PM on 06/23/2010

Give it a rest....this is sad no matter who was in charge....but if you want to point fingers...read the article:

" They vowed to remove them as soon as possible and dispose of them in accordance with a 1994 policy that dictates that discarded stones be crushed and recycled." Clinton Policy--a good one if you ask me.

"But three years after the headstone policy was changed, a 1997 report from the Army Corps of Engineers on possible expansion of the cemetery noted the headstones lining the stream near a maintenance yard across from Section 28". 1997-Clinton administration.
Seems like the problems existed whether there was a D or R in the White House.

[trishinpitt]

01:29 PM on 07/29/2010

Not too dismiss any chance to blame the Republicans where I can (wink wink), I think this is one of those times where it's probably not one side or another's fault...This sounds like the problem that permiates this country...apathy and lack of accountability. How can these people do their jobs in such a terrible way and not care? How can they continue to do this day after day, year after year, and still collect a paycheck? How can they pass the tomb of the unknown soldier and watch those soldiers who guard that place every day and do their job with such dedication and attention to detail and respect, and not feel like utter slimeballs for showing up and disrespecting those whose remains they have been allowed to tend to? It reminds me of this oil spill fiasco and how everyone is blaming the president and even the CEO and yet no one wants to admit that between all those at BP who didn't do their jobs and all those at MMS who refused to do their jobs we end up with this fiasco. These people all have jobs, paychecks, families, friends but they are anonymous in this disaster.... where is pride in work, pride in a job well done?

[jqcitizen]

01:12 PM on 06/23/2010

Should not damaged or worn headstones and urns, at any cemetery, be disposed of in a more dignified manner?

I don't know if there is anything illegal about using soiled or damaged American flags, in this manner. But, flags should be respectfully burned and often are by such organizations, such as the American Legion and the VFW.

[kareemachan]

11:55 AM on 06/23/2010

I dunno, but I kinda like the idea of having gravestones being recycled in this manner. The stream is saved from erosion and it's probably a pretty, peaceful place. Better there than being crushed and used in paving a road or something....