Arlington National Cemetery considers options as it nears capacity

WTOP News [Washington DC] ^ | February 3, 2018 5:19 am | Kristi King | @KingWTOP

[COBOL2Java]

At the current rate, the cemetery will run out of room for burials in the early 2040s. It's raising some tough questions about eligibility

WASHINGTON — Tough choices lie ahead for the caretakers of Arlington National Cemetery — the hallowed grounds are beginning to reach capacity, and options are being considered to preserve available space.

At the current rate, the cemetery will run out of room for burials in the early 2040s.

“There are some things that can be done that would significantly restrict who is eligible and therefore extend the life of the cemetery … over 100 years,” said Arlington National Cemetery’s Superintendent Kate Kelley.

“The question on the table is: Does the nation want that for Arlington, and are we willing to make the tough choices that it’s going to take if we’re going to do that?”

Efforts to expand the cemetery’s footprint are underway. There are current discussions with the state and county to purchase 37 adjacent acres, but Kelley said that land would only add an additional 10 years of capacity.

The two largest groups responsible for filling capacity are people who served active duty but didn’t retire, as well as 2 million military retirees.

“Those two groups are the ones that are going to allow the remaining space in Arlington to be available well into the future,” Kelley said.

[Gay State Conservative]

Step #1...change the rules so that filth like the Senior Senator from Chappaquiddick can't be buried there in the future.

For that matter,dig Teddy up and toss his filthy bones in the Potomac.

[GreyFriar]

you are most welcome.

[Sequoyah101]

How do they know to bury the first one deep enough? Around here it is hard to get 6’ deep let alone deeper. The other problem is getting in amongst the stones and graves without collapsing a vault or smashing a stone.

[Oatka]

Tough choices lie ahead for the caretakers of Arlington National Cemetery — the hallowed grounds are beginning to reach capacity,

A Marine Colonel once gave us an example of "motivation".

He said that because so many vets wanted to be buried in Arlington, they dug the graves three-caskets-deep, about 12 feet.

One night, after closing time, a drunk wandered through the Cemetery and fell in a newly-dug empty grave. He tried to jump out time and again, but the grave was just too deep. It was no use. He gave up and went to sleep, figuring someone would find him when daylight came.

An hour later another drunk stumbled into the same pitch black grave and frantically tried to jump out. The other drunk woke up, and said, "Forget it pal, you ain't getting out."

The second drunk cleared the grave in one jump, and as far as is known, is still running.

Now THAT"S motivation!

[zot]

Thanks for the explanation.

[Oratam]

There's on tomb in New Orleans rhat I'll never forget--The Italian Benevolent Society Tomb.

Members are buried for one year in one of the mausoleum "drawers." After a year, the heat and humidity of New Orleans have done their job and the remains, now just bones, are deposited into the center shaft where all society members remains remain.

I could imagine a series of classical structures like this. . .

. . . fitting in quite nicely at Arlington.

[montag813]

To free up two spots:

(1) Dig up Teddy Kennedy and dump his remains from the Chappaquiddick bridge
(2) Bury McCain at sea

[Sequoyah101]

Him. Interesting. Like catacombs on the surface.

[VeniVidiVici]

Who’s eligible to be buried there?

[trebb]

Dig up all the “White Privilege” heroes and they will end up with 92% of the original room back....