(Washington, DC) -- Senators are investigating problems at Arlington National Cemetery. There are growing fears that mislabeled or misplaced graves could number in the hundreds. Officials are also investigating whether some burial urns were carelessly discarded. Opening a Senate hearing, Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill blamed "contract mismanagement" at the Northern Virginia cemetery. The Army oversees management of the cemetery. McCaskill cited a failure to conduct the most basic oversight of Arlington. She said, quote, "We owe our veterans better." McCaskill said the problems must be fixed to repair a "hole in the heart" of military families whose loved ones are buried at Arlington.
Maine Republican Susan Collins said a sacred trust has been tarnished. Former cemetery superintendent John Metzler accepted full responsibility for the mishaps and expressed regrets to military families. He also cited unique and complex management challenges at Arlington. Metzler retired after reports of Arlington's problems surfaced. Metzler ran the cemetery from 1991-2010.
