Arlington National Cemetery Eligibility & Overview of the Report to Congress (PL 114-158) 10 July 2018 UNCLASSIFIED
Arlington is Our Nation s unique and iconic resting place for those who have made a significant sacrifice and commitment to the defense of our country in the Armed Services. Honor Subcommittee, Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery The Eternal Bivouac of our Nation s Honored dead A place of Remembrance for all citizens A connection to our rich National history Part of the fabric of our Nation A holy place A National Shrine
Honor, Remember, Explore continuing demand placement: 10% dependent honors: 33% funeral honors full MFH: 25% standard MFH: 33% for FY17 73k explorer app downloads 4k wreath laying ceremonies 80k calls, average of 222 per day millions of visitors over 2.9 million 639K social media followers 3.99M monthly reach via social media public outreach our people 185 civilian employees. 14 military 150-250 contractors(seasonal) 51 new employees (FY17). 15 average years in government service 31 employees with 30+ years of service our budget 25% of services are from neighboring states honoring our families 74% occupied graves 26% available graves As of: 30 MAY 2018; POC: 703.614.7176 3
A Cemetery - Our primary mission (every day is Memorial Day at ANC) 160 services a week: Approximately 30/weekday, 10 on Saturdays 7068 services conducted during FY17 1 of 2 national cemeteries operated by the U.S. Army 150 other national cemeteries 136* are operated by the VA 14** are managed by the Department of the Interior Eligibility & unique military honors Different from VA cemeteries In ground and columbarium Demand and scheduling At least as many new requests each day as we have services Military Honors most significant challenge (resources) Peace of Mind Detailed/formal, verified chain with vigilant positive control Structured transfer of custody Laying to rest with dignity and honor *https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/about/index.asp ** https://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/np-natcems.htm 4
Burial Benefits (VA) vs. Eligibility for ANC Members or former members of the Armed Forces Perished on active duty Honorable discharge Retired members of the Armed Forces Former Prisoners of War Medal of Honor recipients Veterans with 1 day of active duty service (not for training) Recipients of the DSC, Silver Star, or Purple Heart Elected officials who served on active duty Certain active duty designees (i.e. Merchant Marine, WASP) Spouse or minor child of an eligible Veteran (same grave or niche) Adult dependent child of an eligible Veteran (same grave or niche) Killed in Action Persons convicted of certain capital crimes and die after January 1, 1997 Persons convicted of sex offenses after January 10, 2013 5
6 Connecting visitors to a rich history 3M+ visitors a year - Open 365 days Security Enhancements Historic tours Two national events: Memorial Day and Veterans Day Hosting miscellaneous events Wreaths Across America (WAA) Organizational annual memorial services Hundreds of media events International and national Photographers and film crews Responses to queries Distinguished visitor/public events 33 Congressional engagements Symbolic visit for many world leaders 2600 Public wreath ceremonies 700+ Honor Flight buses 100+ DV wreath ceremonies A continuous challenge to strike a balance: Funeral services (private) and a National Shrine (public)
7 Memorial Arboretum - Accredited level III arboretum More than 8,600 native and exotic trees 300 tree varieties Three Virginia State Champion trees Two State Co-champion trees 624 acres and growing National Shrine standards Horticulture and landscaping Sustainable practices Cultural resources Teamed with the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office National Register Monuments Historic origins of the property Relationship with the National Park Service Maintaining these hallowed grounds
8 High demand and the eligible population (past, current, & future) Capacity & available space - Millennium - Southern Expansion - Other adjacent areas? 100% capacity in 25 years A National Dialogue Eligibility and Expansion The future of America s cemetery 27,782 burial opportunities Extends capacity to early 2040s 27 acres Complete 2018 Feasible, acceptable, and suitable options and/or actions well into the future.
Historical context - timeline Interments per fiscal year 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Arlington becomes military cemetery US War of the Rebellion Spanish- American War Spanish- American War / USS Maine World War I Burials at Arlington National Cemetery World War II Eligibility opens to members or former members of the Armed Services whose last service terminated honorably Korean War Total interments 1st Interments Legend Major eligibility changes Significant world/us events War dead repatriation Periods of conscription 1864 1866 1868 1875 1889 1891 1893 1895 1897 1899 1901 1903 1905 1907 1909 1911 1913 1915 1917 1919 1921 1923 1925 1927 1929 1931 1933 1935 1937 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1951 1953 1955 1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Vietnam War National Cemeteries Act passed All-Volunteer Force implemented 1967 eligibility limited to active duty & retired of the Armed Forces, Medal of Honor recipients and elected officials or high level appointees 1980 Columbarium opens / CFR is amended (current) Persian Gulf War 9/11 As of 23JAN2018; POC Way, S. 703.614.7176 9
10 Well Into the Future Quick context: - Retirees now number 2M - Right side of chart changes due to policy change, not war dead - Cemetery now 154 years old - As we move to the right of the chart, the cemetery has become a national symbol Forecast: - 4 de facto groups of Veterans (traditional, retirees, qualifying award recipients, and active duty) - Out of space in 2041 - Only significant expansion available will get us 10-15 years - Long period of limited war, total war changes everything well into the future. (150 years, as defined in the 2017 Report to Congress) Survey respondents say: - Most important groups are Medal of Honor and KIA - 2 nd most important groups are high award recipients, former POWs, and active duty - ANC should remain open well into the future
Outreach and 1 st survey Response Survey question: If you believe rules should change, is there a group(s) of Veterans that you feel strongly should remain eligible? (select all that apply) POC: Way, Shannon, MAJ, USA; Data as of 21JUN2018 11
12 Open for families and the public 365 days a year Key Information about ANC We are prohibited by law from creating a reservation Eligibility is determined at the time of need, this is different from the NCA (pre-need) Documents needed at time of need: DD 214 Death certificate Cremation certificate Other documents as required Wait times for a service vary by branch of military service
1.877.907.8585 www.arlingtoncemetery.mil