History of National Arlington Cemetery Topic of 3-Night Series

One of the nation’s most hallowed grounds, Arlington National Cemetery, will be the subject of a three-part series held at the American Legion Post 211 in mid August.

Arthur Hildebrandt, who worked for the Navy’s Office of the General Counsel, for 32 years, will speak on a different topic each night from Aug. 13 – Aug. 15 starting at 7 p.m.

The series, Hallowed Ground: Arlington Cemetery, is open to the public. Attendees from outside of Avon Lake are welcome. You do not need to be a veteran to attend.

“For the last four years I’ve been lecturing at Cuyahoga Community College in their encore program,” Hildebrandt said. “I’ve also spoken on the cemetery and park at the Rocky River Senior Center, Westlake Village and the Rose Institute.”

Although his lectures usually run for four or seven-week one day classes, when he spoke about Arlington Cemetery at Westlake Village, he only had three days, resulting in a shortened three-day series.

The event was organized by Legion members Al Pina and Ken Karpy.  

"We saw a Westlake Village flyer on Art and the Hallowed Ground, Arlington Cemetery and both of us were interested in going to the series," Pina said.  "We were both in awe of the start to finish of the cemetery. I do not want to spoil it for anyone who does not know the history of the cemetery."  

Each night will focus on a different topic. 

“The first night will be about the history of how the cemetery was founded from the Civil War and the Union burying people there,” Hildenbrandt said.

The 148-year-old cemetery, where more than 400,000 fallen men and women are buried, is on property originally owned by Robert E. Lee that the government had seized. A lawsuit ensued over the property in the 1800s with the Supreme Court provides a fascinating and almost scandalous look at the national park.

“The second night will be about the treatment of the fallen and how some of the unknowns got there,” Hildebrandt said.

The third night will focus on the funeral of President John F. Kennedy and the cemetery’s part in it.

“He changed the philosophy of the cemetery from a place where you could be buried to a place you wanted to be buried,” Hildebrandt said.

He will also discuss some of the problems at the 624-acre cemetery in recent years, including the discovery that more than 100 graves had been mismarked. He will also highlight some of the notables at the cemetery.

The talks will allow for questions.

“Anyone who has a question can just shout it out,” he said. "I'm not working off of a prepared script."

The talks will each be about one hour in length.

"Art Hildebrandt lends his knowledge and expertise on this topic and brings details to life," Pina said. "He's a wonderful speaker. All he asks that if any donations are given, donate them to the Wounded Warriors Project; a worthy cause."

There is no charge to this event, however donations will be accepted. All proceeds  will go to the Wounded Warriors Project. The Post is located on Walker Road in Avon Lake. 

About Arthur H. Hildebrandt

Hildebrandt is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and Georgetown University. He earned a J.D. degree from The Cleveland State University, John Marshall College of Law.

He was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was on active duty for three years serving on the USS DeSoto County and in Vietnam as the Senior Advisor to Vietnamese River Patrol Group 53. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V.”

He is now retired and living in Avon.