Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom . Pre-Civil War dead was re-interred after 1900. More than 260,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.

The federal government dedicated a model community for freed slaves, Freeman's Village , near the current Memorial Amphitheatre , December 4, 1863. More than 1,100 freed slaves were given land by the government, where they farmed and lived during and after the Civil War . They were turned out in 1890 when the estate was repurchased by the government and dedicated as a military installation.

In Section 27 , are buried more than 3,800 former slaves, called "Contrabands" during the Civil War their headstones are designated with the word "Civilian" or "Citizen."

The Department of the Army administers Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers Home National Cemetery; the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service administers all other National Cemeteries. The

Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) and the immediate grounds around the house are administered by the National Parks Service.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is one of the more-visited sites at Arlington National Cemetery The Tomb is made from Yule marble quarried in Colorado. It consists of seven pieces, with a total weight of 79 tons. The Tomb was completed and opened to the public April 9, 1932, at a cost of $48,000.

Three unknown servicemen are buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns:

Unknown Soldier of World War I, interred November 11, 1921. President Harding presided. Unknown Soldier of World War II, interred May 30, 1958. President Eisenhower presided. Unknown Soldier of the Korean Conflict interred May 30, 1958. President Eisenhower presided, Vice President Nixon acted as next of kin. An Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam Conflict interred May 28, 1984. President Reagan presided. The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were disinterred May 14, 1998, and were identified as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael J. Blassie, whose family has re-interred him near their home in St. Louis, Missouri. It has been determined that the crypt at the Tomb of the Unknowns that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain empty.) The U.S. Army 24 guards the Tomb of the Unknowns hours a day, 365 days a year. The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) began guarding the Tomb April 6, 1948.

Upon these hallowed grounds one becomes appreciative of the sacrifices that these our forefathers, brothers, and sisters made. You become immediately aware of the history, and the solemness that surrounds you. The rows and rows of white tombstones, the statuary, and other memorials gives one a sense of their own mortality amongst these heroes in deep eternal slumber.

The Tomb of the Unknowns was a experience in pride for one's own country, be them from the United States or some other nation. Each person is given an opportunity, as the changing of the guard takes place, to ponder the sacrifices that these Unknown Heroes gave in the service of their country.....

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