Welcome to the Official Web Site of Arlington National Cemetery. Our presence on the Web began in April of 2000. New facts, features, information and photos are being added on a regular basis. One feature I am particularly fond of is the photo of the week. Please return often.

Of course, a visit over the Internet can not be the same experience as coming in person to Arlington, the most hallowed burial ground of our fallen military and one of the most visited tourist sites in the Washington, D.C., area. My hope is that you will some day visit the cemetery in person. When you do, may I suggest spending at least two hours to visit and pay your respects to the many special persons interred here, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Kennedy grave site.

There are veterans and other exceptional individuals buried at Arlington from the Revolutionary War to the present military action in Afghanistan. Biographical and other historical information is or will be included on our Web site, to bring this shrine — and the sacrifice of those buried here — closer to the American people. Since May of 1864, Arlington has been a fully operational National Cemetery. Today, we are an activity involved with the burial of military casualties from the Iraqi and Afghanistan war fronts, as well as the aging World War II veterans. Overall, daily funerals average about 25 each workday. As a reminder to our visitors, please respect these services as you travel throughout the grounds of Arlington.

During the summer of 2004, two major projects will commence at Arlington; the first is the renovation of the Display Room at the Memorial Amphitheater, and the next is development of 40 acres of land for additional burial space. These projects will be ongoing until the year 2006.

Thank you for your interest in Arlington National Cemetery and have a great visit.

Mr. John C. Metzler, Jr.
Superintendent