Memorial Day: Arlington National Cemetery rapidly running out of room forcing controversial Pentagon rethink

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Arlington National Cemetery, America’s most celebrated and hallowed military resting place is rapidly running out of space, forcing a controversial rethink on which veterans should be eligible to be buried there. The cemetery says while eligibility regulations for burial at Arlington are the most stringent of all US national cemeteries, most veterans who have at least one day of active service and an honourable discharge, are at least eligible for the internment of their ashes. Donald Trump addresses the nation following military strikes in Syria Katharine Kelley, Arlington National Cemetery superintendent, said: “We continue our promise to publicly discuss this challenge in order to make the correct decision, but we cannot expand our way out of this problem.” Officials point out that Arlington is not the only place for military burials. Restricting eligibility to a very small category of veterans is not feasible if the true goal is to provide those who deserve to be laid to rest in America’s most hallowed grounds the ability to do so.” Arlington National Cemetery and the Department of Defence have been contacted for comment.