On this episode of Our American Stories, Arlington National Cemetery is the nation’s most iconic military burial ground, but its origins are more surprising than many Americans realize. Elliott Drago of the Jack Miller Center shares the little-known story behind the founding of Arlington Cemetery, from its roots on the former estate of Robert E. Lee and the Custis family to its transformation into a Union military cemetery during the American Civil War.

Along the way, Drago explains how Union leaders intentionally turned Lee’s former home into a burial ground for fallen soldiers and why Arlington remains one of America’s most enduring symbols of sacrifice, remembrance, and military service, especially each Memorial Day.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Arlington National Cemetery is the nation&rsquo;s most iconic military burial ground, but its origins are more surprising than many Americans realize. Elliott Drago of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackmillercenter.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C39792f322f0c41a1638b08deb7859967%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639149981634273829%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UwvctIiE4ePIRPoDDf5ZeMDhtehuAugep4CoRmjVJMM%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Jack Miller Center</a>&nbsp;shares the little-known story behind the founding of Arlington Cemetery, from its roots on the former estate of Robert E. Lee and the Custis family to its transformation into a Union military cemetery during the American Civil War. Along the way, Drago explains how Union leaders intentionally turned Lee&rsquo;s former home into a burial ground for fallen soldiers and why Arlington remains one of America&rsquo;s most enduring symbols of sacrifice, remembrance, and military service, especially each Memorial Day.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Why Robert E. Lee’s Estate Became Arlington National Cemetery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e93b83f3-a0cb-4921-853a-b4540143f529/transcript