Arlington Committee’s Commitment to Service

No Airman Buried Alone

Since 1948 approximately 550 AFOSC members have served on the Arlington Committee. They have represented the Chief, his wife, and our Air Force family at more than 28,000 funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

For 71 years the Arlington Committee members have been attending funerals for USAF veterans at Arlington National Cemetery.

Gladys Vandenberg, the wife of the second Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Hoyt Vandenberg, witnessed airmen being buried with only a Chaplain and bugler in attendance. She vowed that “No Airman Would Be Buried Alone,” and ensured that the Air Force family would always be present when any Airman was laid to rest.

Soon she recruited her friends to help in an increasingly demanding commitment, and formed the Arlington Committee of the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club in November of 1948.

We cherish this proud heritage and are honored to walk in the footsteps of Gladys Vandenberg, and know that many years from now others will be carrying on this legacy.

Today that committee has about 55 members who attend an average of 75 funerals a month.

Every service we attend is an honor. Every service we attend is a privilege. Every service we attend recognizes the contributions of the life of every American Airman laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

They are honored to walk in the footsteps of Gladys Vandenberg, and know that many years from now others will be carrying on the legacy.