Travel

150 Years in Our Homeland of Heroes

This month, Arlington National Cemetery turns 150 years old. On this hallowed ground, we are forced to contemplate the United States’ relatively short but conflicted history through the lives spread before us. Inscriptions on the gravestones hint at dichotomy—many American service members lived long and courageous lives, but just as many lives were tragically cut short.

By Editorial May 9, 2014 at 2:05 pm

By Renee Sklarew

“These markers are all soldiers,” tour guides describe stretching their arms wide over the hilly paths of Arlington Cemetery. Tourists look staggered by the scene—miles of gravestones in every direction, all 250,000 of them. From this vantage point, it appears America has been in a constant state of battle.

This month, Arlington National Cemetery turns 150 years old. On this hallowed ground, we are forced to contemplate the United States’ relatively short but conflicted history through the lives spread before us. Inscriptions on the gravestones hint at dichotomy—many American service members lived long and courageous lives, but just as many lives were tragically cut short.

→ The History

→ Publicized Problems

→ The Future of Arlington Cemetery

→ The Present