The Army National Cemeteries Program leadership testified today before the House Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, along with the Acting Army Inspector General Maj. Gen. William H. McCoy, on the gravesite accountability efforts at Arlington National Cemetery and compliance with Secretary of the Army’s directive requiring greater oversight and operation of the Army National Cemeteries Program.
Kathryn A. Condon, executive director, testified to the subcommittee on actions she and Patrick K. Hallinan, Arlington National Cemetery superintendent, instituted to address deficiencies and modernize cemetery operations.
“We focused our attention on reorganizing and training the workforce…We have put in place standards that were previously lacking or inadequate. We have brought in new equipment and are training with industry on procedures to operate it safely and with proficiency,” said Condon.
Last year, Arlington National Cemetery created a six-step chain-of-custody process to maintain positive identification of casketed or cremated remains from the time they arrive at the cemetery until they are secured in their final resting place. Arlington also established an Accountability Task Force, a joint military-civilian team to address the requirements directed first by the Secretary of the Army and then by Public Law 111-339.
“The Army has used virtually every asset in its inventory to improve management, operations and processes at Arlington,” said Condon.
During her testimony, Condon highlighted the tremendous leap in the effective use of technology at Arlington. She testified that Arlington now uses a state-of-the-art scheduling system, as well as a web-enabled financial, asset and accounting management system, and has several tools under development.
“Our Geospatial Application Development initiative will form a “Google-maps” like information system that will enable the cemetery to better manage the grounds, grave and niche assignments and provide street directions and site locations to our visitors,” said Condon.
Since January 1, 2011, the cemetery has performed more than 4,800 interments and inurnments. Arlington National Cemetery is the only national cemetery that performs gravesite services and renders full military honors. In addition, Arlington National Cemetery has been the host to more than 3,100 special ceremonies and wreath laying ceremonies since the beginning of the year.
