Washington (CNN) – CNN has learned that Army officials a few weeks ago met with Sen. Edward Kennedy’s staff and presented a plan that has his final resting place may be just a few feet from the graves of his brothers at Arlington National Cemetery, according to a senior Defense Department official with direct knowledge of funeral planning.
The meeting occurred at Arlington National Cemetery, the official confirmed. The plan was then given to the family by staff members. The proposed gravesite is 95 feet south of the grave of the late Senator Robert Kennedy. Arlington National Cemetery is now awaiting final word from the Kennedy family on approval of that site.
The senior official said a final decision is expected from the Kennedy family in the next two days, discussions with family representatives are ongoing at this time
Sen. Kennedy was eligible for burial at Arlington as a serving member of Congress but also on the basis he served honorably on active duty in the Army from 1951 to 1953.
The identified plot of land is currently covered with grass and is near to both Robert Kennedy’s grave and the gravesite of the late President John F. Kennedy. At this point, U.S. military ceremonial units have not received orders for participating in a funeral, but military sources say a typical congressional funeral would include military personnel at the internment, a military team to carry the casket, a firing party for a gun salute and a bugler.
Any arrangements will depend on the family wishes.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
R.I.P.
Champion of the down-trodden.
A bright light has dimmed.
But hope continues.
A fitting place for the final rest of an American that devoted his entire life to the service of his nation an State. We will miss you more than you can know. Gods rest Teddy.
Senator Ted Kennedy was a great great man and a loss for the world. He is now at peace with the Lord and his brother and sisters. His dream lives on!!!
He may have only served the military for 2 short years, but he served his country honorably for most of his adult life. He deserves to be buried near his brothers, if that's what he wanted.
That seems only fitting, that the last of the Kennedys rest near his brothers.
Wow that would be so neat to have him buried alongside his brothers. I know that after death it really doesn't matter where you are placed, but symbollically speaking, I would find it comforting and fitting that he should be laid to rest them.
John, Robert and now Ted Kennedy, may they all rest in peace together but never forgotten, they have given so much. God Bless this family.
I've been to Arlington Nation Cemetery where his brothers are buried and it's a beautiful place for him to rest and for we citizens to pay homage to this great American.
Though I am an independent I guess I didn't always like Ted Kennedy. But he seemed to always be a good one to cross the political lines and work both sides. He stood by a family after 9/11 and was there for them. My only thing with him, is that I wish he would have been like John and gone after the illegal Fedearl Reserve (which is what really got him killed) but I guess he got the message and towed the line.
To honor this great hero and champion of health care for Americans, I hope the loud and angry voices in Congress would get together and pass health care reform.
A great stalwart. A protector of the poor and down-trodden, a strong believer in fairness. A fighter for equal rights. Unselfish. A great, loud voice for decency. Just finished reading his book "Back on Track". No one can take his place. His dream and vision for America are decades ahead of the time.
Ted kennedy well known person in the world . He always try to find the solution for long term , His dreams every child should get good education and every Americans should have health insurance. He is great leader. We will miss him
A model of the trials and tribulations of a successful life.
God's arms embrace you
God's peace to your family
and God's healing to the nation you loved
What a great man, he never forgot about the people who needed his help the most. Let our nation give him the final goodbye that he deserves. Welcome god's home, your brothers are awaiting you in heaven. It's the good deeds that a person does while visiting this earth, he did his part, know others must do theirs. May God bless the soul of this amazing man...
Honor his memory, and the decades upon decades of selfless dedication from someone of his high stature for the disenfrachised and pass healthcare reform. Please.
R.I.P. Mr. T. Health care for all. We will fight the good fight that you started.
it is absolutely fitting for Senator Kennedy to be buried there; he is very much a part of the American dream; he was able to turn his life around and served his country with body and soul. may you rest in peace Lion!
A man who gave tirelessly to the least of thee. The Kennedy family had millions and millions of dollars, they could have become selfish greedy and self serving but they chose to give back. I Thank God that he blessed us with the Kennedy Family, we should all strive to be as good as them all!!!
A humanitarian, a patriot, and a lover of all mankind. Ted we would always miss you. This nation owes a lot to your family, we would never forget that.
The only way to thank you is to pass a single payer, universal healthcare that bears your name.
The lion never dies, without grooming the next lion king. You did your best. You gave us Obama and the many children you saved or groomed to be the next generation of politicians to whom you passed the baton.
May God always keep you in his bossom, oh! Prince of peace.
As a Native American, we will never forget how he never excluded those not so fortunate as he spoke on the floor of the Senate. We salute him, and his brothers. A shining example of what American is all about. May he rest in peace.
Just having been in the military does not qualify one to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. There are numerous criteria one has to meet first. Retired, died on active duty, award for heroism (Silver Star or above), etc. A two- year draftee who was honorably discharged would not qualify unless he met the one or more of the criteria above.
I'll never forget as a child at age 10 when Senator Kennedy rode the train with his brother Bobby's casket from Washington D.C. home to Boston. The train was slowed down and he was at the rear waving to those of us gathered to say goodbye to Bobby. I remember my mom running after the train and waving at Senator Kennedy. He gave to our country and was a patriot. We may not agree with his every move or position but I honor his service and his fight for all Americans. God bless Ted Kennedy and his family.
God bless and rest in peace Uncle Teddy. Thank you for serving our country in a way that few will ever rival.
Who will fill the shoes of the Kennedy's? Our last President boasted his base was the "haves" & "have more". The kenndey's were "haves" who championed the causes of the "have nots". True American Values