Arlington National Cemetery plans controversial expansion to avoid running out of room

Published May 05, 2013

FoxNews.com

Looking to avoid running out of burial sites at the most iconic burial ground in the U.S., Arlington National Cemetery leaders are hoping to start a controversial 27-acre expansion this fall.

The planned expansion, called the Millennium Project, would add more than 27,000 burial sites for veterans on the northern side of the grounds, the Washington Post reports.

“This is important,” said Kathryn Condon, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries, “because if we do nothing today, we will run out of in-ground burial space in 2025.”

But critics say the Millennium Project expansion doesn’t fit the Arlington National Cemetery historic site, and it would damage a stream and force hundreds of Civil War-era trees to be bulldozed.

“I love Arlington. But it’s not big enough for all future wars,” Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Washington Post. “It seems like we need to be preparing for Arlington Two, making sure it’s just as nice and wonderful and historical as Arlington One.”

The cemetery will dedicate a columbarium court, which can hold more than 20,000 cremated remains, on Thursday.

Click for more from the Washington Post.

View the original article here

Video of 7-year-old Neb. boy who's battling cancer running for touchdown attracts millions

Published April 08, 2013

Associated Press

• 

  CORRECTS JACK HOFFMAN AGE TO 7, NOT 6 AS ORIGINALLY SENT - Nebraska's Taylor Martinez (3) guides seven-year-old Jack Hoffman, of Atkinson, Neb., down the field for his touchdown play during a special segment dedicated to Hoffman during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Memorial Stadium. Hoffman, of Atkinson has won the hearts of fans and everyone in the football program for his courageous bout with brain cancer. (AP Photo/Lincoln Journal Star, Matt Ryerson)The Associated Press

• 

  CORRECTS AGE OF JACK HOFFMAN TO 7, NOT 6 AS ORIGINALLY SENT - Nebraska's Taylor Martinez (3) prepares seven-year-old Jack Hoffman, of Atkinson, Neb., for his touchdown play during a special segment dedicated to Hoffman during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Memorial Stadium. Since 2011 Hoffman has been struggling with seizures and complications related to a brain tumor. (AP Photo/Lincoln Journal Star, Matt Ryerson)The Associated Press

Next Slide Previous Slide

LINCOLN, Neb. –  Standing barely chest-high to his Nebraska teammates, 7-year-old Jack Hoffman was the star of the Cornhuskers' spring game this weekend after taking home the title of leading rusher.

And now his 69-yard touchdown, along with his story about fighting brain cancer, is attracting millions of fans.

Video of Jack dressed in a full Nebraska uniform, charging down the field Saturday before more than 60,000 fans, had been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube by Monday. It also aired on ESPN and national news networks.

His father says he hopes Jack's memorable touchdown will highlight the need for more research into pediatric brain cancer.

Jack, who lives in Atkinson, Neb., was diagnosed in 2011. He's had two surgeries and is on a two-week break from a 60-week chemotherapy regimen.

View the original article here