JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, Washington, D.C. (AFNS) –
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach hosted members of the Arlington Committee for an appreciation luncheon, Feb. 10.
For 77 years, the Arlington Committee has been attending funerals for Air Force veterans, representing the CSAF, his spouse and the entire Air Force Family at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. With the formation of the Space Force in 2019, the committee now also represents the CSO, his spouse and the Space Force family.
"One of my priorities is taking care of Airmen and their families, and I can say that you are achieving that priority,” Wilsbach told the committee. “By participating in the services, it helps all of us to never forget the sacrifice of our service members and their families.”
In 1948, Gladys Vandenberg, wife of the second CSAF, Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, witnessed Airmen being buried with only a chaplain and bugler present. She vowed that “No Airman would be buried alone.”
Since the creation of the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club that same year, more than 600 members of this committee have attended 30,000 veteran funeral services, committing time to make sure service members receive the burial they deserve.
"Death and funerals are rarely easy,” Saltzman said. “Attending services for your loved ones is dutiful, but electing to do so for others goes beyond the call of duty. Your presence at their services – representing not just me and General Wilsbach, but the entirety of the Air Force and Space Force family – lets them know they are not, and will never be, alone in their loss.”
The Arlington Committee now attends approximately 700 funerals a year, ensuring that the Air Force and Space Force family is always present when any Airman or Guardian is laid to rest.