Security Tightens at Arlington National Cemetery
Over the course of the next month, visitors at Arlington National Cemetery will begin to see new security measures at one of the most visited and sacred national landmark.
“Arlington is taking advanced security precautions to protect visitors, family members and staff,” Patrick Hallinan, executive director for Arlington National Cemetery, said in a statement. “These security measures will be similar to the ones at museums in the National Capitol Region.”
The security measures implemented will include bag screenings and limited access points as well as staff members checking for visitor identification upon arrival at the cemetery.
While the processes may result in a delay on entering the Arlington, authorities believe it is for the safety of all visitors, staff members and the grounds to implement the new security.
Steve Smith, a public affairs specialist at Arlington National Cemetery, said that the increased security measures were part of a general upgrade of security at Army installations that was ordered after the shootings at military locations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last year and at the Canadian War Memorial in Parliament Square in Ottawa in 2014.
The complete list of security measures are listed below:
- Visitors driving into the cemetery will be required to show a government-issued photo ID, including a driver’s license or passport.
- Family members with permanent grave site vehicle passes can continue to drive to their loved one’s grave with a license.
- Pedestrians entering Arlington National Cemetery will be limited to four access points: the main entrance on Memorial Avenue, Ord & Weitzel Gate, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Old Post Chapel Gate, and the Service Complex Gate off Columbia Pike.
- At the main gate, pedestrians’ bags will be screened through the Welcome Center.