Everyday at Arlington National Cemetery, veterans are laid to rest with military honors. A flag draped coffin, a firing party, and a bugler are the images we expect to see at graveside funeral services. If you look closely though you may notice something you didn't expect, a lady. She is an official part of the ceremony, and by title, she is an Arlington Lady.
The group of volunteers was founded more than 50 years ago to insure that no one is ever buried at Arlington without someone there to honor their service and sacrifice to our country. The Ladies also handwrite a note for the next of kin at each funeral. That envelope is presented to the family after they receive the perfectly folded flag that draped the coffin. It's a simple personal touch that the Ladies say softens what for many families is one of the hardest of their lives.
This is the story of the Arlington Ladies, and part of a 30 minute long special report that will air on 7&4 Saturday, November 10th at 7 pm, and then again Sunday morning on our sister station ABC 29&8 at 10 am.
