Bill would block presidents with no military service from being buried in Arlington Cemetery

[Siwsan]

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]

1. Great idea!

Block chumputin!

[jimfields33]

11. Also blocks Clinton and Obama

In fact only carter and bush would be eligible. Bush I’m sure will be buried in Texas. Carter I’d be surprised if he didn’t want to be in Georgia. Clinton probably at his library. Obama Hawaii? I’m not sure we have had many presidents buried in Arlington. Just googled. Only two are buried in Arlington Kennedy and Taft.

[Ilsa]

27. Even GHWB is buried at his presidential library

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]

28. Yeah most presidents want to be buried by their hometown

I think this is Senator Duckworth saying to trump, “screw you.” I doubt she’d bring this up if any other President was currently in the White House. Trump deserves this though.

[karynnj]

35. Why would GW Bush meet the criteria?

[niyad]

42. He was, however poorly he performed, in the TX Air National Guard.

[jimfields33]

58. I guess he was in the military for a minute.

I know some don’t count national guard but not sure how Arlington looks at that.

[hlthe2b]

2. I think it makes sense. The thought of Trump being buried there (despite the relief of his passing)

is too horrible to comtemplate.

[former9thward]

33. Clinton, Obama and a potential Biden would not be allowed there either.

[hlthe2b]

37. I suspect all three would prefer a personal burial--as on the grounds of Presidential library

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]

48. JFK and Taft were special cases, anyway.

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]

47. Somehow I doubt any of them have plans for that.

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]

3. How would that work?

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]

4. He can never be considered a Veteran.

That's the key.

[PCIntern]

5. Yes he was, dammit!!!

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]

9. He's a veteran a$$hole. I'll give him that much.

And that's the highest praise I can offer.

[ck4829]

12. That's not military service, how much honor can we afford this tainted office?

[Sherman A1]

16. Agreed

I believe that this bill is not too well thought out.

[obamanut2012]

25. Being C in C doesn't mean you are a veteran

So, Senator Duckworth's bill is sound.

[Sherman A1]

40. We will have to agree

To disagree on the soundness of this bill. I see it as a waste of time.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

20. That is not being military...

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]

46. The Command-in-Chief is specifically not a military position.

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]

64. Amen to that. Perfect explanation. nt

[chomper]

6. I would make an exception to the rule.

If he was to be buried there this week, I would be ok with it.

[Thekaspervote]

8. Hahahaha!! Me too

[Silent3]

30. Alive?

[Thekaspervote]

7. dotard should consider cremation...what people have done to his Hollywood Star..that is minor

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]

10. I picture him going the Lenin route

Embalmed, encased in some sort of waxy substance, packed into a glass topped coffin where his cult can gather to worship him.

[ck4829]

13. Very good, we need to keep start and keep removing symbolic power associated with the president

Trump has tainted it beyond repair.

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Before 2016, Trump stated he wanted to be buried at his golf course in Bedminster, NJ.

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]

15. I never thought of the Reagan followers as being in a cult. I do with trump*'s.

There is just something totally unhinged about their devotion.

[oldsoftie]

23. There is. I dont understand it. The people I know amaze me every day.

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]

38. Big difference: Reagan didn't present himself as representing Jesus.

He did lean into the Moral Majority, anti-abortion, white Christian stuff. But nothing like Trump showing up as the False Prophet.

[Dukkha]

17. He needs the Osama Bin Laden treatment

tossed into international waters so no country can claim final resting place.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. I agree with burial at sea, ...

... 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]

22. Besides, Who Wants Him Buried In Their Neighborhood?

The smell from a constantly-replenished pool of urine would ruin your property values....

[JI7]

19. Not sure it's necessary but i'm fine with it .

[milestogo]

21. Trump should be buried in a bottomless pit of bodily excretions.

[Siwsan]

26. So, at RNC headquarters?

[Illumination]

39. He's a stinker so that would be befitting!...

[TNNurse]

24. I am sure Trump has something large and gaudy in mind

that would never be allowed at Arlington anyway.

[Siwsan]

31. Think 'Lenin's Tomb' at Mara Largo

Club members get a discount on admission.

[TNNurse]

62. Is there gold on Lenin's Tomb???

[Siwsan]

63. Probably not. But it will be 'Fool's Gold' on trump*'s, so......

[NCjack]

29. Expect the United Daughters of the Confederacy to offer him a monument with a crypt.

[Xipe Totec]

32. Make Arlington Great Again nt

[3Hotdogs]

34. Arlington is safe.

He surely wouldn't want to be buried next to losers and suckers.

[Blecht]

36. And orange presidents with ridiculous hair

Must be buried in unmarked graves on Antarctica.

[BKDem]

41. Let's just hang him by his feet in a gas station, like his role model Mussolini.

[Retrograde]

65. Nah, it would just attract flies and rodents

I'd go with the burial at sea - or swamp.

[TomVilmer]

43. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is also in Arlington...

[Siwsan]

44. I'm not surprised that they would allow the spouse of a president to be buried with him.

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]

51. I believe I am right when I say spouses CAN be buried in National Veteran Cemeteries with the vet.

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]

55. You are right, but a restriction for Trump is not needed...

... 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]

57. I noted a recent change when I attended my brother-in-law gravesite. His head stone say Vietnam!

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]

53. Wives of servicemen are commonly buried in National Cemeteries

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]

45. They will have to put at least 100' of landscape fabric and crushed limestone around Trump's grave

No plant would survive all that urine.

[usaf-vet]

49. ABSOLUTELY!!! There are no losers or suckers at Arlington. Let's not allow tRump to be the first.

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]

50. My Dad was in President Truman's Marine Honor Guard. No doubt he took part in services

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]

52. Will that include any president who isn't a combat veteran?

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]

56. Most Presidents don't choose an Arlington burial so I think this is aimed specifically at trump*

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]

59. That's what I'm thinking - politics.

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]

54. I'd rather not complicate anything to do with Trump's swift burial.

[Montelimar]

60. Eliminating war and funding peace

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]

61. Trump can be buried with the Gators in the Swamp

Seems appropriate since he couldn't figure out how to drain it

[demtenjeep]

66. na-aside from #fatdonne presidents serve our country

most to the best of their ability and with honor.




#fatdonnie NO FUCKING WAY