Events at Arlington National Cemetery
Jun 14 2010
Here Rests
in Honored Glory
An American Soldier
Known But to God
– Gravestone Marking, Arlington National Cemetary
OFFICIAL MOAA STATEMENT ABOUT THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY SITUATION
From the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)—June 11, 2010
MOAA is deeply disappointed about the findings of the Army investigation into the operation of Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is hallowed ground, and the nation trusts that servicemembers and their families will be honored and cared for appropriately in their final resting places. Because their work is so important, we join Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and all other Americans in demanding that the operation of Arlington National Cemetery be held to the highest standard. Anything less is unacceptable.
CONTACT: Col Marv Harris, USAF (Ret) 703-838-0546 or marvh@moaa.org
Battle of the Bilge Statement (not an official MOAA statement)
On June 10th, MOAA watched along with the rest of the nation as the term ‘unknown soldier’ at Arlington National Cemetery took on new meaning. The release of the final report regarding operations at ANC and the accompanying reprimands stir our hearts and anger our sense of reason and accountability.
In summary, the findings of the US Army’s Inspector General during its investigation of ANC are that operational management failed in a number of areas. Graves were marked improperly, maps were not accurate, grave sites were unmarked and a list of other offenses. In a location that is nothing short of hallowed ground, the treatment of the cemetery is a disgrace.
Mr. John Metzler, Jr., has served as Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery for nearly two decades. He has been reprimanded and will retire from public service on July 2nd, 2010. Metzler has to his credit implemented many positive policies and actions at ANC, but he failed to reign in his deputy, Thurman Higginbotham, who appears to be at the center of this debacle (please take the time to go over the documents at the link at the bottom of this article to see the full details).
If there is any good that can come from these events, it is that the nation has been forced to focus their attention on the fallen. In the coming weeks a new team will start the restoration of the cemetery and the reconstruction of its management. We will watch with many others the progress that will have to be made. Tragically, the cemetery is growing at a fast rate. We owe it to everyone who now and will someday rest there to ensure that Arlington is never again neglected.
Full documents and information can be found here: http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/06/10/40580-arlington-cemetery-announcement/index.html
Discussion
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As a lifetime member of MOAA, I am embarrassed that MOAA allowed the posting of the title “Battle of the Bilge” referring to the recent issues at Arlington National Cemetery. Having read the DA IG report in its entirety, the title of the article is both inappropriate and insensitive to the sanctity and dignity of ANC — I expect more from MOAA.
My apologies General Horst. The blog itself is titled “Battle of the Bilge”. This article is titled “Events at Arlington National Cemetery”, and the editorial was a statement from the blog, which is dedicated to fighting false information on the web. The blog title has no relation to the article title.
VR,
Matthew LoFiego