Episode 15: September 11, 2001

The first funeral of the day on September 11, 2001, started after the planes struck the twin towers in New York City. About half an hour later, the mourners, who were transitioning between the chapel and graveside portions of the funeral, recoiled as a tremendous blast shook the windows and walls of the cemetery's reception center. As they left to head towards the Columbarium (where the deceased's cremated remains were to be placed), they were stopped by military police officers who informed them that the Pentagon had just been hit - they were still allowed to proceed (the Columbarium is only a few hundred yards from the Pentagon) but many of the military personnel, including those who would have folded the flag, would no longer be accompanying them and the rest of the service would be abbreviated. In an era before everyone carried a camera in their pocket, one member of the funeral party had a camera in her car and after the service, took this photo of the Pentagon billowing smoke over Arlington's white headstones. Thank you for this unique perspective, Ms. Ruth Anne Rosati.

A year after the attack, the Pentagon memorial - officially called the Pentagon Group Burial Marker - was unveiled in Section 64. The memorial, pentagonal in shape, has the names of the 184 victims of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, either in the building itself or on Flight 77.

Because of extensive damage to the remains, five sets of remains were buried together in a single casket, covered with a special vault cover. The memorial sits directly above the vault cover.

One of those killed in the Pentagon was Army Lieutenant Colonel Kip Taylor

Kip and his wife, Nancy, had struggled with infertility for years but had eventually conceived and had a son, Dean. A month after his death, Nancy gave birth to their second son, Luke. While in the hospital for the birth, Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer and died two years later. The boys were adopted and raised by Kip's brother and his wife. They are both currently attending college, courtesy of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Both Kip and Nancy Ann Melvin Taylor are buried in Section 64, Grave 4877

The first American killed in Afghanistan post-9/11 had been a captain in the Marine Corps but was a CIA officer at the time of his death. Johnny "Mike" Spann didn't qualify for burial at Arlington but was granted an exemption from President George W. Bush. He was killed in a prison riot when Taliban detainees got into an Afghan Northern Alliance arms room. One participant in the riot was the so-called American Taliban member John Walker Lindh. 

His family, particularly his children, have been vocal about their displeasure with Lindh's release from prison, three years before the end of his 20-year sentence and his father had harsh criticism for the way the Biden administration withdrew US troops from Afghanistan. Spann is buried in Section 34, Grave 2359.

The first Iraq War Soldier buried at Arlington was Army Captain Russell Rippetoe who was killed by an IED while rushing to help a pregnant Iraqi woman.

This member of the 75th Ranger Regiment is buried in Section 60, Grave 7860

Because Army Sergeant First Class Jerald Whisenhunt, a 22-year veteran at the time of his death, was not a Sergeant Major or commissioned officer, so he was only authorized a standard honors funeral. Sergeant First Class was livid with the distinction and in time, his campaign led to a policy change authorizing anyone killed in combat to receive a full honors funeral regardless of rank.

Whisenhunt is buried in Section 60, Grave 8563