Arlington Nat'l Cemetery Is Kennedy Burial Site
Champions of Civil Rights, the Kennedy Brothers Will Rest Together
Aug 27, 2009
Arlington Mansion and the surrounding 200 acres were confiscated by the Union Army from Civil War General and Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee, in 1864. It is with extreme irony that three of the strongest leaders for Civil, Minority and Racial Rights during the 20th Century will be buried in the ground of the leader of the separatists and segregationist South. Those that desired to maintain the horrid institution of American Slavery provided the land that holds the bodies and remains of individuals that fought for freedom and equality.
Requirements of Arlington
Over 300,000 persons are buried in America’s second largest national cemetery, including 3,800 freed slaves, two presidents and three unidentified servicemen in The Tomb of the Unknowns. The requirements for internment are rather strict.
- Active duty servicemen
- Retired service personnel
- Recipients of Military Medals
- Presidents
- Supreme Court justices
- Prominent explorers and astronauts
- Prominent foreign nationals (who aided America’s struggles)
- American historical figures
- Other honorably discharged servicemen may have their cremated remains interned in the columbarium.
Kennedy Graves
According to Arlington National Cemetery’s Information Center, “Park Service employee Paul Fugua recounted how on March 3, [1963] President Kennedy…remarked that the view of Washington, D.C., was so magnificent that he could stay forever….”
The 3.2 acre site of the Kennedy grave was considered unsuitable for graves and set aside by the Secretaries of the Army and Defense. Eventually the family desired the location to be made available to the slain president. While the Kennedy family paid the actual costs of the grave area, the land is still owned by the nation as a whole.
The End of Camelot
On Saturday the 29th of August 2009, Senator Edward M. Kennedy will join his brothers to rest overlooking the Nation’s Capital that he cherished so dearly. Born to wealth, power and privilege, he led a life devoted to public service. As California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement on Tuesday night, “Teddy taught us all that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life…."
Service to America
The eldest son, Joe Jr., died in a military mission defending his country over Germany during World War II, and never saw his father’s desires of political ascendancy come to fruition. His brother, John Fitzgerald did become the nation’s 35th President, but his career was cut short as part of the Kennedy tragedy. Eventually the third son Robert’s life, on his way to becoming the nation’s 37th President, was also cut short via assassinated prior to the elections of 1968. That left the reigns to the youngest son Teddy. But alas, Edward lost the democratic nomination to President Jimmy Carter in 1980, and Camelot’s rule was no more!
Not true! Unlike his older siblings, Teddy became the lion of the Senate. He forged alliances worldwide that places the Kennedy name indelibly among historian’s lips in Ireland, the down-trodden internationally and black Americans at home. His memory rises to a level above his older siblings. Projecting fear among conservatives when the name Kennedy is mentioned; he no longer has to sustain the legacy of American equality to those that know it must exist. American health care reform may become a relic of history, but now,Teddy, can finally sleep peacefully along side his brothers. Resting comfortably knowing he tried his best and has become as indelible in American history as Robert E. Lee and the Arlington mansion he rests beside.
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