The Story of Arlington National Cemetery | FULL DOCUMENTARY

Explore the history, mission and daily operations of Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 400,000 Americans. This revered place honors the dead and brings great meaning to the living.
This 2014 documentary from WETA features more than twenty interviews with Arlington National Cemetery staff, military personnel and family members of the fallen to create a powerful and poignant look at this 624-acre cemetery. Personal and historical accounts highlight the Cemetery's unique existence as a living monument to individuals and events in the nation’s history.
Beyond exploring well-known landmarks - including Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial; Tomb of the Unknowns; and the President John F. Kennedy Gravesite - the WETA production team takes viewers behind the scenes to meet the dedicated people who manage the cemetery’s complex daily operation and maintain its expansive grounds throughout the seasons. A comprehensive look at our nation’s most sacred final resting place, this local WETA production also covers the challenges of expansion for this active urban cemetery and the recent scandals of mismanagement and gravesite discrepancies.
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[@Mxtthew24]

I had the privilege of visiting a few years ago. It’s a very humbling experience, and makes me appreciate even further the service that these men and women gave their lives for. May they all rest in peace.

[@LisaReynolds-zy7xu]

1:28

[@williehampton7496]

😢 Thank You For Your Service My Parents Sleep Here

[@TheStudderman]

Thank you to all that served our great country. We owe you servicemen and women a debt we can never repay. God Bless You All!

[@tushkafilms1061]

My great uncle Pvt. William Wright is buried there. The troop ship he was on, the SS Tuscania was sunk by the German u-boat UB-77 in World War 1

[@jonrowader6897]

I enjoyed this immensely! My ancestor William Christman was the first military person buried here.

[@WETAPBS]

Wow! Have you visited his gravesite?

[@USAIRFORCE621]

I speak from personal experience when I say that being there truly takes your breath away to be standing amongst the rolling acres of Arlington! I have 5 family members that rest there! In addition to be a part of an organization in Civil Air Patrol, that each December lays wreaths on our country's most hallowed ground is a tremendous honor and great privilege!

[@michaeljudge2170]

It's a great film. My brother is buried at Arlington.

[@OohMyHead]

Beautiful topic for Memorial Day. Thank you.

[@WETAPBS]

Thank you for watching

[@juliewhite5281]

Exceptional documentary. One part that was not covered: the headstones. Where are they quarried, cut, and lettered?

[@ms.sample5017]

I had the privilege of going to Arlington last summer (Summer 2023). As said by others, its a very humbling experience. I read an extraordinary book about two years ago about the history of Arlington and how it came to be. It's well worth the read for anyone interested. Its called, "On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery." by Robert M. Poole. For me, coming to the cemetery was a must.

[@bowlnow824]

What a great tribute video to the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice Panda those who have served and passed away. God bless you all and thank you all who serve and their families

[@stevecole101sc]

Good lord I cried like a baby and I'm a 31 year old man. Thank you everyone for your service!!!!

[@steveshapiro326]

I have visited Arlington and just thinking of it gives me chills.

[@melissaconnellyjones2622]

Excellent documentary. Thank you to the countless and talented people who work so tirelessly to keep this sacred space beautiful and protected. I literally can’t stop crying, thank you for posting.

[@marshaprice8226]

My parents are both buried here in Section 52.

[@Ray-vv4ey]

Cathartic. I think this word was created to honor moments like these. I've visited, and that's the word I do want to use ... I've visited those buried here, many times. It's a peaceful setting. That belies the pain and sacrifice these brave men and women endured to protect our nation. But it is comforting to know that in some way, the peace is now a part of their ongoing existence, for they will never ... never, pass from memory.

[@susanschaffner4422]

Beautiful, heartfelt production. I wish there had been more time devoted to history.

[@parttysetzer6247]

My father's buried there and soon my mother'sits a sad but beautifully place.

[@matthewarcher3024]

They gonna mention how the cemetery started during the civil war as an insult to Robert E Lee cause it was his land they seized early in the war? They always seem to forget to add that But on another note, this place is awesome

[@steveshapiro326]

Robert Lincoln, who served briefly in the Union Army in 1865, is buried there.

[@matthewarcher3024]

@@steveshapiro326 yeah this is true. Don't get me wrong. I respect and love the cemetery and what they do

[@keithrosenberg5486]

Not everyone in Arlington is from the US. I think I would have mentioned Sir John Dill. His service to the nation in WWII was invaluable.

[@GM8101PHX]

While my Dad was not buried at Arlington, he was buried at Fort Sam Houston military cemetery as Retired Air Force Master Sergeant!! I took my sister to see his grave in 2016, it was my second time visiting his grave. I felt he was honored as he should have been, these cemeteries hold most of our nation's heroes!!!

[@anningram9311]

Outstanding documentary.

[@WETAPBS]

Thanks for watching!

[@sesagrl]

God bless the families who have sacrificed so much 💔

[@thomasbeaman9780]

Heroes and Honors are the residents of Arlington National Cemetery.

[@pattyaugustus850]

Both my dad's are here my real dad flew Clinton on air force one th3 whole 8 years. He also a war hero in Vietnam. My dad was in USAF 45 years.

[@TheIntellectualslinky]

My great grand father valentine red is buried here in Arlington. He was a Major in the U.S Army during WWII

[@user-mk9mv9ki4y]

Very powerful

[@traceydonovan5144]

Please help me understand how a certain person can call your loved ones who lay here, suckers and losers, and yet half of America voted/will vote, for him.

[@lisabradford8180]

makes no sense whatsoever. brainwashed maybe?🤔🤔🤷🏽‍♀

[@Stacia1975]

FJB

[@anthonylagunas6737]

This past Memorial Day, some insurgents tried to take a stone there. For the traitor that invaded the Capital. They were made to turn around before entering.

[@PhilipShawn]

Softees?

[@mattsmelley5569]

If you didn't serve YOU don't get a say about ANYTHING!

[@pmccoy8924]

Settle down there, Rambo. The men and women served so the voiceless can be heard. Anyone born from sea to shining sea can say what they will because of those that line the hallowed grounds of Arlington. Un-puff your bird chest and remember why you salute the flag you do.

[@paulwingerter8267]

You are 100% right! I served over 20 years in the Army and as you noted anyone born from sea to shining sea can say what they want! Obviously Rambo doesn't think so! We have our military to protect our freedoms including freedom of speech! I have run into many like Rambo who think they are better than everybody because they served! Wrong answer! I served with the Old Guard from February 1984- December 1986. An honor and a privilege!

[@TheStudderman]

@@paulwingerter8267 First, Thank you for your service. Second, I can’t speak for everyone, but I will NEVER forget the service that you and the ones like you gave our great nation to preserve our freedoms. We owe you all that served, a debt that we can never repay. May God bless you sir.

[@bradkarlzahn-bp6jx]

Thank you beyond words for your Honorable Service, Paul! I'm so grateful just to be an Associate Member of SHGTUS!! Looking forward to the ceremony tomorrow in Boscawen, NH... beautiful spot up there! My best to the Fam, be well Sir! 🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸🎗️🇺🇸

[@randibgood]

@smelly matt, that's not how democracy works. That's not what the Constitution says. That's not what the Bill of Rights says. Now, go back to school. Get out of mommy's basement. Get a job. Stop thinking that you're better than anyone else or deserve things others don't.

[@Liverpool-1892.]

Why is most of this woke?

[@randibgood]

What is "woke" about a documentary of a cemetery?

[@randibgood]

What is "woke" about a documentary of a cemetery?

[@randibgood]

What is "woke" about a documentary of a cemetery?

[@Liverpool-1892.]

@@randibgood man they keep mentioning the slaves

[@matthew-jy5jp]

It is amazing that that was once the home of Robert E Lee. And that the man that was in charge of bearing these soldiers made sure to mix up the graves. Because he said he was tired of states rights and that they were all Americans. " There is no government on earth that should be more paternal to its soldiers than the United States because it derives all its power from the great body of the people "