The U.S. Army will begin gradually reintegrating horse-drawn caissons into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. The use of caissons was halted two years ago due to concerns over the level of care the horses were receiving, particularly after two died in 2022 due to poor living conditions, The Associated Press reported.
The horses will be reintroduced in phases to “ensure the safe and sustainable reintegration,” according to a news release. The first phase will begin on June 2, and caissons will be used as conveyance for two funerals per day, up to 10 per week.
“After careful consideration and coordination, we are pleased to reintegrate the caisson conveyance into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and revered tradition that honors our veterans and service members as they are laid to rest,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries.
The caisson services will be available for service members killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Prisoner of War Medal, senior noncommissioned officers (E-9), senior warrant officers (CW-5), senior commissioned officers (O-6 and above), and service members whose family members elected to wait for the return of the caisson conveyance over the past two years.
Beginning in mid-April, visitors may see the caisson platoon throughout the cemetery as they familiarize the horses with the environment where they will work.
According to AP, the return of the caissons was delayed several times as the Army worked to improve the health and safety of the horses. They have been working with equine experts to buy horses and improve veterinary care. All horses that were in the program in previous years have been retired, according to AP.
Feature image courtesy Arlington National Cemetery
