Arlington Cemetery question (Washington, state, military, years)

[BereniceUK]

Apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong forum.

I've come across a headstone in a churchyard in Warton, Lancashire (the Warton where some of George Washington's ancestors lived) which also mentions a Tom Bennett who "fell asleep on Jan. 8, 1923, and was interred in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, U.S.A., aged 33 years."

Is burial in Arlington Cemetery strictly for U.S. service personnel?

[Grandstander]

Who is Tom Bennett? If he served in the US armed forces at any time and was honorably discharged, he would be eligible for burial at Arlington.

[BereniceUK]

All I know is that his parents lived and died in Millhead, a nearby hamlet, so Tom must have emigrated to the US maybe around 1910 (when he would have been aged approx. 20) or up to 1914 before the outbreak of the Great War.

I was in the churchyard because I'd been taking photos inside the church of the Washington link. Is there any way I can check US military service records online?

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by BereniceUK

Is burial in Arlington Cemetery strictly for U.S. service personnel?

The answer is no, in fact just being a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces does not automatically earn the right to be buried at Arlington. Along with members and former members of the U.S. forces any elected official of the U.S. government, ambassadors and chiefs of station along with certain spouses and children are allowed to be buried at Arlington as well.

Hope this helps:


Eligibility For Burial In Arlington National Cemetery

[willow wind]

Actually, the question is---- where is he buried ?

Is he buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA

or is buried at

Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, state of WA . This cemetery was established in 1903.


The headstone says he is buried in Arlington, WA . Maybe a little family sleuthing needed.

[willow wind]

Ooops- just realized the OP is in the UK

Arlington National Cemetery is not actually in Washington, DC but across the river in the state of Virginia
( abbreviated VA)

Washington state is on the opposite side of of the USA in the Pacific northwest.

[Retroit]

They buried him because he fell asleep? I bet he was shocked when he woke up!

[Retroit]

Can't find him.

Arlington National Cemetery - Grave Site Locator

Nationwide Gravesite Locator

[mco65]

Originally Posted by Retroit

They buried him because he fell asleep? I bet he was shocked when he woke up!

EESH. he could have fell asleep on a railroad track..