Walking Through Rows of Hero's

 

 

Once simply called Arlington the land directly across the Potomac from Washington DC was the home of George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted grandson of George Washington.  Arlington House or the Custis-Lee Mansion sits atop a hill with a magnificent view of Washington DC.  The house and property, over 1100 acres, was passed down to Mary Anne Randolph Custis who married Robert E Lee.  Abandon by Mary when Virginia seceded from the Union, the property was acquired by the government for backed taxes.  Brigadier General Montgomery C Meigs, commander of the garrison at Arlington House, appropriated the grounds for use as a military cemetery.  The first hero’s to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery were 1800 casualties of Bull Run.  Since then, Arlington National Cemetery has been the burial place of many of our national hero’s who have served our country in both peace and war.  One can spend hours walking the grounds, reading the tomb stones, seeking out famous names, and reflecting on much of our countries history.