Courtney Statement on Mismanagement of Arlington National Cemetery

Statement

Congressman Joe Courtney today released the following statement on the House Armed Services Committee's hearing into the mismanagement of Arlington National Cemetery. The Army has said there are at least 211 mismarked graves in the cemetery in three locations, and that at least four burial urns were unearthed and dumped in an area where excess grave dirt is kept.

""Appalled' doesn't even begin to describe my reaction to what happened at Arlington. As its entrance sign proclaims, Arlington National Cemetery is rightfully called "Our nation's most sacred shrine.' The careless treatment of records, burial plots and even gravestones is a sacrilege. Whether they died in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iwo Jima or Gettysburg, or lived long and healthy lives for years after their service, the men and women buried at Arlington are owed the most reverent care. The Inspector General's report and testimony show a deplorable failure by the cemetery's leadership to carry out its mission.

"I applaud Secretary McHugh's swift removal of the individuals responsible, and urge him to continue to take immediate actions to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."

During the hearing, Courtney also confirmed with Secretary McHugh that families with loved ones interred at Arlington will receive a prompt response to concerns about the problems at the cemetery.

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