The American Legion Supports Reforms for Arlington

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Jun 10, 2010, 04:02 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The head of the nation's largest veterans organization praised Army Secretary John McHugh for "decisive action," in the wake of an Inspector General's report which revealed mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery.

"We are disturbed any time we hear that our nation's heroes are treated in an undignified manner," National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. "The findings in the report are quite serious but Secretary McHugh is to be commended for taking decisive action to correct what he called 'dysfunctional management.' We are pleased that former Senators Bob Dole and Max Cleland will lead an independent panel to eliminate the deficiencies. Our heroes at Arlington gave their all. We must not fail them. The American Legion offers its assistance to correct the problems."

A failure to automate records reportedly led to the misidentification of remains. More than 300,000 veterans have been interred at Arlington National Cemetery from the Civil War through the current Global War on Terrorism.

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

SOURCE The American Legion