June 10, 2010
— DrewM Not to be flippant about this but Obama needs to find some asses to kick here and kick them hard.
The Army has stripped its top two managers overseeing Arlington National Cemetery of their authority and appointed a new executive director after an internal investigation found that potentially hundreds of remains have been misidentified to misplaced.Army Secretary John McHugh, who released the results of the report Thursday, announced that the cemetery's superintendent, John Metzler, will be under supervision until he retires next month, and Metzler's deputy, Thurman Higgenbotham, has been placed on administrative leave.
McHugh, who ordered the investigation in November, called the report "deeply troubling" and "unacceptable."
"I deeply apologize to the families of the honored fallen resting in that hallowed ground who may now question the care afforded to their loved ones," McHugh told a Pentagon news conference.
What did the report uncover?
Army investigators at Arlington Cemetery have found what appear to be over 100 unmarked graves, scores of apparently empty graves marked with headstones, and at least four burial urns that had been inadvertently unearthed and dumped in the cemetery’s “spoils” area where excess grave dirt is stored.They found a “dysfunctional” and chaotic management system, poisoned by bitterness between the superintendent and a top subordinate and hobbled by antiquated record keeping.
It seems most of the problems involve Iraq and Afghanistan casualties buried at Arlington.
In addition to the disservice done to the fallen and their families that have been identified, all other families must now be wondering if their loved ones were treated properly and their eternal place of honor and rest is as they have been told. They simply should not be put through this additional pain and stress.
I'm sure the overwhelming majority of men and women at Arlington and other national cemeteries do their very best to honor the fallen, but this is absolutely unacceptable. Simply retiring the leadership is not enough. Someone has to go to jail for dereliction of duty. Of course that won't be the charge but investigators can always find a misappropriated stapler or something. Identify it and prosecute them.
Most importantly, fix this system now and make sure it never happens again.
Posted by: DrewM at
04:12 PM
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Posted by: Union Supported Public Employee at June 10, 2010 04:20 PM (EL+OC)
Here's an update from the link:
The Army says there are more than 200 graves at Arlington National Cemetery that have been misidentified or unidentified.
They are establishing a new post, Executive Director of the Army National Cemeteries program. It will be headed by Kathryn Condon, who will be placed over the current superintendent John Metzler. Metzler, who is retiring July 2, will receive a letter of reprimand from the Secretary of the Army John McHugh.
Metzler's deputy superintendent has been placed on administrative leave while further investigation continues.
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 04:20 PM (c0A3e)
On Memorial Day, HBO had a documentary about Arlington, Section 60. It was spellbinding and heartbreaking.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at June 10, 2010 04:21 PM (UOM48)
I hope Obama has enough class to restrain himself from "because of the cronyism of the last decade blah blah"
Posted by: Zimriel at June 10, 2010 04:21 PM (eizD9)
Posted by: 48%er at June 10, 2010 04:23 PM (OThQg)
Posted by: sifty at June 10, 2010 04:23 PM (5nyPy)
Posted by: Methadras at June 10, 2010 04:24 PM (H16KD)
..and the Government wants to be my Healthcare Provider?
Posted by: g at June 10, 2010 04:24 PM (Kj8VC)
Ahahaha! Class has no place in Obama's bloated ego.
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 04:25 PM (c0A3e)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:26 PM (zs6U+)
Does anyone see any connection between Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Post Office, Department's of Interior, Commerce, State and Arlington National Cemetery?
Yea, fuck ups populate every nook and cranny of our government be it elected, appointed, or salaried employees.
Posted by: Fish at June 10, 2010 04:28 PM (v1gw3)
Posted by: Ombudsman at June 10, 2010 04:28 PM (y4B2y)
You die for your country and this is the thanks you get.
One or two people can screw things up, but other people had to have known there were problems before this.
I want their names.
Posted by: Mama AJ at June 10, 2010 04:29 PM (XdlcF)
Posted by: logprof at June 10, 2010 04:31 PM (Mmw0q)
The only cure for the ineptness of the Federal Government would be for Congress to eliminate the Civil Service rules and rewrite them making all employees "at will."
Fuck up and your toast, and it's just that simple.
Posted by: Fish at June 10, 2010 04:31 PM (v1gw3)
Posted by: rawmuse at June 10, 2010 04:31 PM (kO+WM)
Seriously, how do you screw up a cemetery this badly?
There really are not that many internments at Arlington.
Posted by: Jim in San Diego at June 10, 2010 04:32 PM (oIp16)
There are three sections: The family section where you buy your own headstone and the general section where you are issued an Arlington headstone. There is also the columbarium but you see the ashes being placed in the wall.
They handle the families and funerals so professionally, this seems really really surprising.
Posted by: dagny at June 10, 2010 04:33 PM (3NHfx)
That's true. I forget who it was, but they had to dig him up and move him.
Posted by: Ombudsman at June 10, 2010 04:33 PM (y4B2y)
There really are not that many internments at Arlington.
Simply by not giving a rip.
/Shameful, shameful!
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 04:33 PM (c0A3e)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:33 PM (zs6U+)
People buying their way in to a grave site who didn't deserve it.
Posted by: rawmuse at June 10, 2010 08:31 PM (kO+WM)
Don't recall the exact template, but it involved a man who claimed military service but was a fraud. His family moved his remains from Arlington.
Posted by: Fish at June 10, 2010 04:34 PM (v1gw3)
Arlington and places like it are more sacred in my way of thinking than any cathedral or other monument. To have laziness and stupidity permeate even into this sacred place is a very sad thing.
Further, how could an American worthy of the name go home at night and sleep knowing that they were fucking up this job?
Posted by: sifty at June 10, 2010 04:34 PM (5nyPy)
Posted by: dagny at June 10, 2010 04:35 PM (VQZXx)
Posted by: Barack H. Fuck You I Won Obama at June 10, 2010 04:35 PM (m8nvD)
I did a lot of funeral red cycle in the Army. A high honor, in my opinion. I never saw even the lousiest dud soldier give anything but his best because this is just instinctive. It's respect, a core value of the military. Even if the soldier isn't really there, in that casket, but just some body he used to use, it's so important that he be respected in this way.
These traditions are extremely important to a functional nation.
Posted by: Lex Luthor, Ruler of Australia at June 10, 2010 04:36 PM (dUOK+)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:36 PM (zs6U+)
Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at June 10, 2010 04:37 PM (LvBq/)
Posted by: Seven Thousand Kennedy Brothers at June 10, 2010 04:38 PM (m8nvD)
I was there visiting on a cold December day. I witnessed the horse-drawn caisson and honor guard escorting a fallen hero to his final resting place. The somber dignity was so incredibly moving. Leave it to a "civil servant" to screw it up
Posted by: Ombudsman at June 10, 2010 04:38 PM (y4B2y)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:39 PM (zs6U+)
Posted by: torabora at June 10, 2010 04:40 PM (+QXdN)
Posted by: Jean at June 10, 2010 04:40 PM (CPefM)
Posted by: rawmuse at June 10, 2010 04:40 PM (kO+WM)
Posted by: TEH WON at June 10, 2010 04:41 PM (5qJM5)
'Nam, I honestly don't know- what makes someone eligible, besides being a Veteran?
Posted by: Ombudsman at June 10, 2010 04:41 PM (y4B2y)
Posted by: billypaintbrush at June 10, 2010 04:41 PM (kCLi2)
I will be "at ease" at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, with men of great honor and dignity. God Bless all.
Posted by: Fish at June 10, 2010 04:41 PM (v1gw3)
Posted by: Jean at June 10, 2010 08:40 PM (CPefM)
I would not be surprised to see him bulldoze it and turn it into a presidential golf course.
Posted by: robtr at June 10, 2010 04:42 PM (fwSHf)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:42 PM (zs6U+)
Posted by: Jean at June 10, 2010 08:40 PM (CPefM)
Whoa, whoa, WHOA there, ummmmmmm, Jean. I mean, uhhhhhh, let's face facts. Arlington is below my, ummmmmmmmm, pay grade. And besides, those people are, ummmmmmmmmmm, beneath me. GET THAT?...TEH WON just made TEH FUNNY!!!...Michelle, ummmmmmmmmm, come look!
Posted by: TEH WON at June 10, 2010 04:44 PM (5qJM5)
Posted by: Jean at June 10, 2010 08:40 PM (CPefM)
I would not be surprised to see him bulldoze it and turn it into a presidential golf course.
Posted by: robtr at June 10, 2010 08:42 PM (fwSHf)
Now you, ummmmmmmmmmm, Morons are really starting to, uhhhhh, make some sense!
Posted by: TEH WON at June 10, 2010 04:46 PM (5qJM5)
I don't even think tags were worn in Cambodia (or Laos)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 08:42 PM (zs6U+)
Unsure where you learned of this, but it's absolutely true. No ID tags, no ID card, no fatigue nameplate, and helicopters and airplanes flew without tail numbers or US markings other than data plates. This was to deny the enemy propaganda if unable to recover the bodies or aircraft.
Posted by: Fish at June 10, 2010 04:46 PM (v1gw3)
Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at June 10, 2010 04:49 PM (LvBq/)
Unsure where you learned of this, but it's absolutely true.
Lot's of stuff got declassed in the nineties, when all the books about SOG started getting released.
Posted by: Dang Straights at June 10, 2010 04:49 PM (8VdAi)
Posted by: Wheeeeeeeeeeee at June 10, 2010 04:49 PM (+QXdN)
Posted by: rawmuse at June 10, 2010 04:50 PM (kO+WM)
Posted by: ziptie at June 10, 2010 04:50 PM (0135J)
Posted by: Tony D'Annunzio at June 10, 2010 04:50 PM (dlWGL)
Guarendamned T you that B+rry won't be there.
Posted by: torabora at June 10, 2010 04:54 PM (+QXdN)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 04:58 PM (zs6U+)
Heh, you're the second person to invoke my name with what might happen in NY,
. Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 05:02 PM (c0A3e)
Posted by: Typical Democratic at June 10, 2010 05:05 PM (YZISw)
Posted by: Hatchet Five at June 10, 2010 05:07 PM (rSoCo)
Posted by: 415woman at June 10, 2010 05:09 PM (BqUpO)
Posted by: rawmuse at June 10, 2010 05:10 PM (kO+WM)
I thought that was announced several weeks ago? Or was that someone else?
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 05:11 PM (c0A3e)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 05:12 PM (zs6U+)
Heh, you're the second person to invoke my name with what might happen in NY, .
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 09:02 PM (c0A3e)
And CALIFORNIA WINS against NY!
Take that you East Coast fucks! You pansies can't keep a slow burn fiscal disaster going longer than my room mates skull bong in college.
Trust me, when we finally go down, we are taking EVERYTHING West of Texas the Mississippi River with us.
CALIFORNIA IS NUMBER ONE!
Posted by: Jim in San Diego at June 10, 2010 05:12 PM (oIp16)
Posted by: steevy at June 10, 2010 05:13 PM (zs6U+)
Posted by: curious at June 10, 2010 05:15 PM (p302b)
Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at June 10, 2010 05:15 PM (LvBq/)
Posted by: Patrick at June 10, 2010 05:16 PM (OpnaT)
Posted by: chach at June 10, 2010 05:21 PM (9k+Qy)
Posted by: logprof at June 10, 2010 05:26 PM (Mmw0q)
Posted this on the Headline thread this a.m. It's such a well-written piece, I have to share. Meet the Ladies of Arlington. It's a tear jerker.
Posted by: RushBabe at June 10, 2010 05:27 PM (W8m8i)
My step mother sent a wreath to put by my dad's columbarium. I had nothing to do with it. I knew however it was against their rules. So here we are walking to the gravesite when the little staff creep says to me, "I told you that wasn't allowed." I'm freaking burying my dad asswipe and he brings this up right this effing minute???
The Marines tho, were right there with me. I will never ever forget the young man who knelt and gave me my father's flag. I felt such pride that day.
But the civilian staff can go eff themselves.
Posted by: Mrs. Compton at June 10, 2010 05:29 PM (PSPzo)
Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at June 10, 2010 05:31 PM (ZESU0)
All the NYer's I sent this too think it's funny
Posted by: curious at June 10, 2010 05:36 PM (p302b)
Posted by: seamer at June 10, 2010 05:36 PM (Y4mm2)
That time may be soon.
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 05:38 PM (c0A3e)
The unionized government staffers often have deep resentment of this kind of feeling, and I know you realize you should just ignore that awful sentiment. I've seen so many who delight in pushing some rule and some smidge of power they have, right at the ugliest moment. No humanity.
We really need to deunionize all government workers. All of them, teachers, cops, TSA, and staff all through the pork system. Let the military handle the entire Arlington Cemetery operation. We don't need some crony bozo in there doing nothing all day until he can retire with $80,000 a year or whatever. At the very least, we could staff it with military retirees or troops who have been wounded and cannot return to their prior MOS.
The feeling I get from this treatment is that the staff were ungrateful for the sacrifice of military and their families. That really sums up the problem, for me.
Posted by: Lex Luthor, Ruler of Australia at June 10, 2010 05:40 PM (dUOK+)
Posted by: curious at June 10, 2010 05:46 PM (p302b)
It was the exact opposite for us . After dealing with the local idiots at our small town funeral parlor and reading a fouled up obit in the paper the treatment of our fathers remains at Arlington by the military professionals was a source of great comfort .
Posted by: awkward davies at June 10, 2010 05:49 PM (B4e7Q)
That time may be soon.
Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at June 10, 2010 09:38 PM (c0A3e)
Yes. I need a job and i know of others that could also fit the bill, without any expectation to work 20 years to have a pension for the next 20 years.
Posted by: willow-changing name to byte me at June 10, 2010 05:50 PM (HyUIR)
I thought when someone told me this they were joking and I was perusing Fox news and there this was.
Posted by: curious at June 10, 2010 05:53 PM (p302b)
Posted by: Soap MacTavish at June 10, 2010 06:01 PM (554T5)
Posted by: dagny at June 10, 2010 06:02 PM (VQZXx)
We really need to deunionize all government workers. All of them, teachers, cops, TSA, and staff all through the pork system. Let the military handle the entire Arlington Cemetery operation. We don't need some crony bozo in there doing nothing all day until he can retire with $80,000 a year or whatever. At the very least, we could staff it with military retirees or troops who have been wounded and cannot return to their prior MOS.
Great idea.
Posted by: tank at June 10, 2010 06:11 PM (aglOh)
Take another look at this picture...
Dem's Bundle access to Natural Gas Act, with "Cap & Trade" Schemes...Cancel off-shore drilling, forcing Congress to pass their bill...
And now in these last months of imminent loss of power, they push for the one thing that will prevent its loss... A New government entity to take control over military and civilian networks http://bit.ly/b0H160.
I believe that more crimes will surface....And this goes full-circle to retaining a Majority in six months; as they appear to be taking us to insolvency...
But look deeply here, as everything has already been worked out (in advance.) The act of discrediting has enabled many of the "perfect storms" we have been living... And this creates anger and distrust (and in this case) of Military. -Most of what we respond to is created from manipulated consensus...
We have EPA, whistle-blowers targeting press Freedoms, more seized properties from States through eminent domain; possible Gov confiscation of 401 K's, Bank Nationalization, bullet recall... We will see a HUGE cram before Nov; and most policy will not even be revealed.
Just want you to really examine all of this, and ask more.... Before a mild (and growing) form of Communism embeds itself into the United States of America.
Posted by: bbay at June 11, 2010 02:44 AM (LZnr5)
Posted by: Hiphone at June 22, 2010 07:13 PM (wtzZ0)
Posted by: wholsale sunglasses at April 03, 2011 01:31 AM (eYOGU)
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Simply retiring the leadership is not enough. Someone has to go to jail for dereliction of duty. Of course that won't be the charge but investigators can always find a misappropriated stapler or something. Identify it and prosecute them.Most importantly, fix this system now and make sure it never happens again.
Amen. We owe our fallen heroes and their families nothing less.
Posted by: Pres Narcis at June 10, 2010 04:18 PM (c0A3e)