Comments for How did Senator Kennedy earn burial rights in Arlington?

How did Senator Kennedy earn burial rights in Arlington?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:32:09 -0600

A question that has been chapping some people, both in comments here and in email.Simple. He is eligible under the existing rules.Senators who spend 2 years in the Army and 40 years in the Senate qualify for Arlington. It isn't PFC Kennedy that is being buried there, in a sense.Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall, who never served in uniform, is buried in Arlington. Arlington is considered a national treasure and is managed a bit differently from the other cemeteries in the system.Specifically, the guidance that qualifies Senator Kennedy is this:g. Any former member of the Armed Forces...

Comment from Pat Miller on 2009-09-01

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:25:19 -0600

Please remember that Arlington National Cemetery is run by the Army and not part of the National Cemetery system run by the Veterans Administration. Without his elected service, Ted Kennedy, US Army veteran, would NOT have been eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Military retirees, yes. Veterans, no, unless they were awarded a Silver Star or above.

As for spouses, only those who are also veterans, can reserve the adjacent lot in a National Cemetery. The rest of us spouses who choose to be buried with our husbands share the space.

Widow of SGT DJ Miller, 1st AIR Cav
Silver Star Medal 18 Feb 1968 Quang Tri Province, RVN
Died 23 Sep 2008 due to Agent Orange/Diabetes

Comment from Jay White on 2009-09-01

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:12:04 -0600

Spouses of intered veterans may reserve the adjacent plot at time of vets interment. This is done through the funeral arrangements.

Comment from Larry Brooks on 2009-08-31

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:11:30 -0600

My only gripe is that Arlington National Cemetary seemed to have reserved a spot for Senator Kennedy...why are there so many open graves in that section? Makes you wonder if some prior arrangments were made to reserve that section of the cemetary. No space is supposed to be reserved in a National Cemetary, other than this I find it fitting that he was laid to rest in Arlington.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:16:57 -0600

All good fodder for discussion of Kennedy's legacy (and his contributions to the poisoned rhetorical environment we trudge through) John, but not a basis for denying him a space in Arlington.

If the Right were to bellow and breast-beat and succeed (neither of which will happen, regardless) the Left would retaliate when President Bush or any similar figure of the Right passes, were the decision be to inter at Arlington.

There are plenty of imperfect people interred in Arlington. The reality is, unless you are convicted of a capital crime (and I don't think Kopechne's death would rise to that level, however much we think justice was not served in her case) if you qualify, you aren't going to be denied a space.

To answer your question - Saint Vincent's Cemetery, Larksville, Pennsylvania - I admit I had to Google it. Justice Thomas and Judge Bork will have to ask Ray Donovan where you go to get your reputation back.

In Justice Thomas' case, at least, the best revenge is living well.

Comment from John (not the armorer) on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:13:44 -0600

Anyone know where Mary Jo Kopechne is buried?

How about the reputations of Justice Thomas and Judge Bork, other victims of the Chappaquidick kid?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:12 -0600

They will not,as I understand it. But under certain circumstances, you can request to be buried in the same spot he is.

In fact, if that's a busy cemetery, the spot next to him may already be filled.

Comment from MM2 on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:42:32 -0600

OT.

My brother was recently laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetary. When's it's my turn I would like to lay next to him. Does anyone know if they will reserve that plot for me?

Comment from Colin on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:08:32 -0600

As a Canadian I was curious of what he did to deserve this, the military time I am ok with, the other would stick in my throat if I was a US citizen, politicans can have their own place of honour as far as I am concerned.

Comment from KCSteve on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:24:22 -0600

...as to where...

Do they still have privies there? Those holding tanks need a good, stable floor.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:24:06 -0600

A fair point, Alan, and one reason I put up this post.

Clearly, Senator Kennedy is a polarizing figure - but you almost have to ask what prominent politician isn't these days, given the way political discourse occurs, a subject Cassandra has been typing about a lot of late.

Comment from JamesLee on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:33:10 -0600

Sen Kennedy served his country, both in and out of uniform. As it clearly meets the criteria, there is no reason in my mind he shouldn't be buried with others of his family.

One thing you have to give to Kennedy, as much as I couldn't stand (almost) anything that he believed in, is that he was up front and honest about where he stood and what he believed, unlike many others these days.

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Comment from BillT on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:03:44 -0600

Arlington is a national treasure. Not everyone buried there is.

Comment from Alan on 2009-08-27

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:49:55 -0600

At a certain point, isn't there an end to politics which still includes national pride. It is a sad comment on the times when this would even be a question given the qualification.