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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBill would block presidents with no military service from being buried in Arlington Cemetery
A United States senator and combat veteran introduced a bill that would block presidents or vice presidents with no military service from being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said the legislation is aimed at preserving the limited space left available in the cemetery for those who have served in the Armed Forces. The bill would not affect anyone already interred at the cemetery.
The U.S. Army recently recommended restricting eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery even among veterans.
Late last summer, the Army proposed tightening eligibility requirements by restricting below-ground burial to service members killed in action, combat veterans awarded the Silver Star or above, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs and troops whose deaths were combat-related.
The Army said if such limitations were in place, troops could continue to be buried in the cemetery for the next 150 years.
https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/bill-non-veteran-presidents-cant-be-buried-at-arlington?fbclid=IwAR2J_FqalESpDC3L2nbe5X3LgSLY4lhR9uDKhgEj3BjftFXSdUsG6p69QDc
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Block chumputin!
jimfields33
(15,668 posts)In fact only carter and bush would be eligible. Bush Im sure will be buried in Texas. Carter Id be surprised if he didnt want to be in Georgia. Clinton probably at his library. Obama Hawaii? Im not sure we have had many presidents buried in Arlington. Just googled. Only two are buried in Arlington Kennedy and Taft.
Ilsa
(61,688 posts)in Texas. When it was first built, they had their late daughter's*** grave moved to the grounds.
***Robin died from leukemia in childhood, I believe.
jimfields33
(15,668 posts)I think this is Senator Duckworth saying to trump, screw you. I doubt shed bring this up if any other President was currently in the White House. Trump deserves this though.
karynnj
(59,495 posts)niyad
(113,021 posts)jimfields33
(15,668 posts)I know some dont count national guard but not sure how Arlington looks at that.
hlthe2b
(102,105 posts)is too horrible to comtemplate.
former9thward
(31,923 posts)hlthe2b
(102,105 posts)Even Reagan didn't try to go for Arlington.
I can't imagine you would not see that as a reasonable trade-off to prevent Trump from desecrating such a hallowed ground. Only Taft and JFK are buried there, so it is the exception, rather than the rule for Presidents to be buried there.
LuvNewcastle
(16,834 posts)JFK was assassinated while in office and Taft is the only person to serve as both POTUS and CJUSSC. Kennedy was a Navy veteran from WWII also.
I think we should probably limit Arlington to military burials. Maybe we could find a piece of land in or around Washington that could be dedicated to distinguished federal office-holders.
whopis01
(3,491 posts)Only two presidents have ever been buried in Arlington.
And while this would disqualify Taft, I doubt he has much to worry about either.
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)POTUS is C-in-C of the Armed Forces.
That concern aside, Trump should be the last person they ever allow to be buried in that hallowed ground.
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)That's the key.
PCIntern
(25,467 posts)He avoided VD while screwing random women/girls/whatever -some people say watermelons. That was his personal Vietnam and he served honorably, so much so that they are going to consider renaming the cemetery after him. Yessir!!!
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)And that's the highest praise I can offer.
ck4829
(35,037 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I believe that this bill is not too well thought out.
obamanut2012
(26,041 posts)So, Senator Duckworth's bill is sound.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)To disagree on the soundness of this bill. I see it as a waste of time.
N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,661 posts)The Commander-in-Chief is a civilian position.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-2/section-2/clause-1/the-commander-in-chief-a-civilian-officer
whopis01
(3,491 posts)Sure, the name makes it sound like one, but it is not.
Our government/military structure is designed specifically to have the military run by the civilian government, not to make the government leader part of the military.
Ilsa
(61,688 posts)chomper
(113 posts)If he was to be buried there this week, I would be ok with it.
Thekaspervote
(32,689 posts)Thekaspervote
(32,689 posts)Compared to what they will do his grave..and who can blame them? I certainly fall in that group
And no, who wants that shit at Arlington. I for one have military family buried there
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)Embalmed, encased in some sort of waxy substance, packed into a glass topped coffin where his cult can gather to worship him.
ck4829
(35,037 posts)Trump has tainted it beyond repair.
no_hypocrisy
(46,010 posts)But his cult members couldn't have access to have homage. I believe he WOULD consider Arlington so he could die believing he would be worshipped. (Note: I don't believe there are pilgrimages to the Reagan Library and lots of folks loved him.)
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)There is just something totally unhinged about their devotion.
oldsoftie
(12,485 posts)These people have NEVER voted for a Democrat for president. But over the years I've heard them talk about things they didnt like with Bush, Bush, Reagan. And the things that come out about trump are far worse than anything they criticized the other R presidents about. And they're highly educated people. Its amazing. But with trump it just doesnt matter WHAT comes out. The worst i've EVER heard is "I wish he'd tweet less". Thats it.
I believe that trump is the worlds greatest con man.
no_hypocrisy
(46,010 posts)He did lean into the Moral Majority, anti-abortion, white Christian stuff. But nothing like Trump showing up as the False Prophet.
Dukkha
(7,341 posts)tossed into international waters so no country can claim final resting place.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,315 posts)... escorted by a HUGH flotilla of MAGA boats, speeding, colliding, sinking, generally having a great time. Some might even make it back from the distant waters. I suggest the Bermuda Triangle as a destination.
smb
(3,471 posts)The smell from a constantly-replenished pool of urine would ruin your property values....
JI7
(89,239 posts)milestogo
(16,829 posts)Siwsan
(26,241 posts)Illumination
(2,458 posts)TNNurse
(6,924 posts)that would never be allowed at Arlington anyway.
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)Club members get a discount on admission.
TNNurse
(6,924 posts)Siwsan
(26,241 posts)NCjack
(10,279 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,888 posts)3Hotdogs
(12,319 posts)He surely wouldn't want to be buried next to losers and suckers.
Blecht
(3,803 posts)Must be buried in unmarked graves on Antarctica.
BKDem
(1,733 posts)Retrograde
(10,127 posts)I'd go with the burial at sea - or swamp.
TomVilmer
(1,832 posts)Siwsan
(26,241 posts)His two infant children who didn't survive are also interred with them.
I was only slightly surprised that only 2 Presidents are buried in Arlington - Taft and Kennedy.
AND, Robert Kennedy is buried there. Not sure of the rationalization for that. He did attend a military academy but as far as I know did not active military service. Maybe the criteria was more fluid before space became such a premium. And, at least he served his nation with honor - not with an eye for self enrichment and creating chaos.
usaf-vet
(6,161 posts)My mom is buried with my dad USN WW II vet at the National Veteran Cemeteries on Otis AFB Sandwich MA
Granted the rules might be different at Arlington National Veteran Cemetery.
TomVilmer
(1,832 posts)... since they already exists:
individuals eligible for burial must never have been convicted of a felony, and that might block for Trump in the very near future.
Generally the space is open for former presidents and vice presidents of the United States, with no military training necessary, which for me sounds OK, since they have been CIC.
And yes, also spouses of eligible individuals.
usaf-vet
(6,161 posts)I served in the USAF from 1965-1969 but was always considered as A Vietnam Era veteran. Whereas millions of our fellow veterans have been considered WW I, WW II, Korea veterans. Not everyone actually served "in-country" to be considered a veteran of that war.
We all served a did the job we were trained to do.
So finally those of us who were never "in-country" are now rightfully listed as Vietnam veterans if you served between 1955 and 1975?
Here are the actual dates: Officially the term "Vietnam veteran" is used to describe those who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of duty location.
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)My wife's mother's ashes are buried at the National Cemetery at Ft. Snelling in Minnesota, and her name is engraved on the back of her late husband's marker.
Botany
(70,442 posts)No plant would survive all that urine.
usaf-vet
(6,161 posts)I was lucky enough to have been able to attend a military burial with full honors. tRump doesn't deserve ANY OF THAT.
Hopefully, this bill will pass. If not this time keep trying and trying and trying until it becomes LAW.
Arlington National Cemetery is a place of Honor and Sacrifice. Keep it that way. Do not insult the living family members of those buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
I have replied to lots of surveys in the last month. Add this question to the surveys.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, I salute you yet again. Thank you for your service. I sure if my grandfather WW I vet and my dad WW II vet, as well as this Vietnam vet, would all salute bill and service.
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)I never made it to Arlington, the few times I've been in DC (once for a protest and twice for conferences). It is on my list of things I'd like to do, while I'm still on planet earth.
sarge43
(28,940 posts)Without direct combat experience which are most veterans, no Silver Star, Purple Heart, not a former POW
Will that include any president who is cremated? There will be plenty room for those veterans or active who meets the current or future requirements.
BTW, this bill would preclude Dwight Eisenhower.
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)It sounds like the real issue is they need to tighten up the criteria, anyway, due to space. Cremations make that problem more manageable.
My parents chose to be cremated and interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, in Michigan. Dad was a Marine.
sarge43
(28,940 posts)Arlington should not be used for gotcha games.
Well, the criteria is being tighten. By the time hubby and I are fed'xed down there, we'll be in urns instead of boxes. No BFD, we just want our names on plaques.
Regardless of what we think of any president, s/he was CinC. IMHO if they wish it, that entitles them to a 6x4 patch. Set aside a corner for them and call it good.
A Sempre Fi for your father.
Gidney N Cloyd
(19,816 posts)Montelimar
(83 posts)would reduce the number of dead soldiers, obviating the need for military burials?
I know it won't happen, but it's a nice thought.
RANDYWILDMAN
(2,663 posts)Seems appropriate since he couldn't figure out how to drain it
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)most to the best of their ability and with honor.
#fatdonnie NO FUCKING WAY