Curious question

[mightyfenrir]

Why does Ted Kennedy get to be buried in Arlington exactly?

[Georgy Zhukov]

He served in the military

[Farnan]

Yep...

Any former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty (other than for training) and who held any of the following positions:

1. An elective office of the U.S. Government
2. Office of the Chief Justice of the United States or of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
3. An office listed, at the time the person held the position, in 5 USC 5312 or 5313 (Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule).
4. The chief of a mission who was at any time during his/her tenure classified in Class I under the provisions of Section 411, Act of 13 August 1946, 60 Stat. 1002, as amended (22 USC 866) or as listed in State Department memorandum dated March 21, 1988.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/fun...interment.html

[Tiberius Tosi]

He got kicked out of Harvard (cheated on a Spanish test) and served in the military for 4 years (got back in after that).

Bobby Kennedy's burial in Arlington was quite shady. He was active duty for 2 months on a shakedown cruise (ship test basically) in the Caribbean until he was honorably discharged two months later(twas 1946 and they didn't need him anymore). While it technically fits the requirements there was some debate over whether he should have been buried there, as a test run of a ship is hardly active duty. He was a reservist before going active duty, but it was not long enough to fit the requirements for burial at Arlington.

[Farnan]

He got kicked out of Harvard (cheated on a Spanish test) and served in the military for 4 years (got back in after that).

Bobby Kennedy's burial in Arlington was quite shady. He was active duty for 2 months on a shakedown cruise (ship test basically) in the Caribbean until he was honorably discharged two months later(twas 1946 and they didn't need him anymore). While it technically fits the requirements there was some debate over whether he should have been buried there, as a test run of a ship is hardly active duty. He was a reservist before going active duty, but it was not long enough to fit the requirements for burial at Arlington.

Pre-1999 the burial requirements for Arlington were not as strict. When he was assassinated he was a Senator, which at the time was enough to be buried there.

[Tiberius Tosi]

Pre-1999 the burial requirements for Arlington were not as strict. When he was assassinated he was a Senator, which at the time was enough to be buried there.

Thanks for clearing that up. (I'll rep you when I spread the love around more lol)

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Teddy, not Robert.

I don't think he deserved Arlington. It cheapens it to let anyone in. My Grandpa's brother served in WWII, Korea, and trained Pilots in Vietnam. When he died, he was buried in his home town in Kansas, and all the Air Force sent was one officer, with a CD player for taps. The CD malfunctioned haflway through, and he didn't even get that. Yet Ted Kennedy gets Arlington???

[Farnan]

Teddy, not Robert.

I don't think he deserved Arlington. It cheapens it to let anyone in. My Grandpa's brother served in WWII, Korea, and trained Pilots in Vietnam. When he died, he was buried in his home town in Kansas, and all the Air Force sent was one officer, with a CD player for taps. The CD malfunctioned haflway through, and he didn't even get that. Yet Ted Kennedy gets Arlington???

He met the requirements, and wanted in.

Did your Grandpa's brother want in or did he want to be buried in Kansas?

[mightyfenrir]

Teddy, not Robert.

I don't think he deserved Arlington. It cheapens it to let anyone in. My Grandpa's brother served in WWII, Korea, and trained Pilots in Vietnam. When he died, he was buried in his home town in Kansas, and all the Air Force sent was one officer, with a CD player for taps. The CD malfunctioned haflway through, and he didn't even get that. Yet Ted Kennedy gets Arlington???

That's what I meant. Why does he deserve it? He didn't really do all that much militarily speaking and barely anything to make America a truly better place and he committed a murder which he never had to serve any time for. So why does he get to be buried in Arlington? I don't care if he served in the military, both my parents did too and if they wanted they could both run for the Senate. In my opinion he didn't deserve much more than to be buried at home. At least now there won't be as much staunch opposition to completing the Nantucket Sound Wind Farm; wind turbines off Cape Cod.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

He wanted to be buried at home, but honestly. His "active service" is hardly active service. I don't suggest we go dig him up and toss him in a ditch. I would suggest that simply having the name Kennedy or Bush, or any other political name and having served the bare minimum in the military not be enough to bury you in a place full of heroes and men who actually sacrificed. It cheapens the name of Arlington.

[Farnan]

He wanted to be buried at home, but honestly. His "active service" is hardly active service. I don't suggest we go dig him up and toss him in a ditch. I would suggest that simply having the name Kennedy or Bush, or any other political name and having served the bare minimum in the military not be enough to bury you in a place full of heroes and men who actually sacrificed. It cheapens the name of Arlington.

Well the bare minimums are all you need, hence the term minimums...

Now I'm not saying however it won't be a good idea to require service in a designated Combat zone or 20 year letter to be buried there.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I would suggest maybe some time in Combat. The original men buried at Arlington all saw time in Combat, or died in service to America.

[Farnan]

I would suggest maybe some time in Combat. The original men buried at Arlington all saw time in Combat, or died in service to America.

The original men included 3,800 civilians who were former slaves:

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/his..._27_facts.html

[Ó Cathasaigh]

The original men included 3,800 civilians who were former slaves:

Interesting.

I'm sure Bobby Lee wouldn't disapprove too much.

[Farnan]

Bobby Lee was a huge proponent of reconciliation and supported education of Blacks.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I know, he wasn't a bad guy, hence my suggestion he wouldn't mind.