Leaders Call for Approval to Add 85 Military Chaplains' Names at Arlington National Cemetery

The public is encouraged to call for approval of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) plan to add 85 military Chaplains’ names to the Chaplains Hill monuments at Arlington National Cemetery project.

Senator Jim Banks (R-Indiana) and Commander Dan K. Wiley, in partnership with the NCMAF, recently added their voices in support of the addition of the names of chaplains who died in service and to provide infrastructure improvements to the historic Chaplains Hill monuments at Arlington National Cemetery, our country's most sacred place.

Chaplains Hill, located in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery features monuments dedicated to chaplains of various faith groups who have died in service to the nation. NCMAF’s effort seeks to add, at no cost to the government, the names of 85 chaplains who died in service across various conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Iraq, and Afghanistan and whose names have not been included on the Chaplains Hill monuments.

NCMAF’s 12-year-long effort to update Chaplains Hill is endorsed by many national veterans and military support organizations. In addition to the American Legion, the enhancement of the Chaplains Hill memorials has been endorsed by the Association of the US Army, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Navy League Council of NY.

Senator Banks recently submitted a letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll urging the Department of the Army to approve updates to the Chaplains’ Hill memorials at Arlington National Cemetery.

Senator Banks’ letter noted, “Military chaplains have served America’s armed forces in the barracks and on the battlefield for over 250 years. They offer strength, comfort, and hope for the men and women putting their lives on the line to defend our nation. Their steadfast devotion has supported our servicemembers in living their faith even in the most dangerous circumstances.”

Commander Wiley commented, “On behalf of our 1.5 million members, The American Legion strongly urges the immediate addition of the names of 85 war-time Chaplains killed in action to the Chaplains Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The delay of these additions fails to honor the sacrifices of fallen chaplains who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The American Legion remains committed to advocating for proper recognition of our nation’s heroes.”

Additionally, Rabbi and Rear Admiral Harold Robinson, a long-time champion of the effort to approve the chaplains’ memorials, added, “This effort to honor our fallen chaplains is long past due. It is time that we embrace those who have supported our troops and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

NCMAF is the umbrella organization for 150 U.S. faith groups and the professional clergy representatives who endorse Department of War and Department of Veterans Affairs chaplains. For more information about NCMAF, visit  https://www.ncmaf.com/arlington-national-cemetery.

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