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Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery: Where War Comes Home

Robert M. Poole

4.38 · Rating details · 186 ratings · 36 reviews

While On Hallowed Ground chronicled the history of the cemetery, Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery is the powerful contemporary biography of a five-acre plot where many of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid to rest alongside service members from earlier wars.

Gifted writer and reporter Robert Poole opens the story with preparations for Memorial Day, ...more

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Hardcover, 242 pages

Published October 21st 2014 by Bloomsbury USA (first published May 27th 2014)

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· 186 ratings · 36 reviews

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Start your review of Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery: Where War Comes Home

Sep 05, 2014 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history-wars, best-books-of-2014, current-affairs, history-places

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot about this specific and very special section of Arlington National Cemetery. Also, if you are going to read this book, have the tissues handy -- I guarantee that you are going to need them.

A few intriguing points?

The Gold Star Mothers of America, founded in 1928 for those who had lost sons in World War I, now represents all families with loved ones killed in wartime. Following a tradition begun in the last century, Gold Star families often hang a I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot about this specific and very special section of Arlington National Cemetery. Also, if you are going to read this book, have the tissues handy -- I guarantee that you are going to need them.

A few intriguing points?

The Gold Star Mothers of America, founded in 1928 for those who had lost sons in World War I, now represents all families with loved ones killed in wartime. Following a tradition begun in the last century, Gold Star families often hang a star in their windows as a symbol of their sacrifice.

No other country goes to the effort the United States does to honor its fallen warriors, a national obsession that has its origins in the Civil War. That war, still the deadliest conflict in the country's history, claimed as many as 900,000 lives, with almost half of those going to their graves as unknowns, often without religions rites, a proper coffin, or permanent tombstones, To make up for the debasement suffered by so many in that war, a reunited nation made a conscious decision to do better in the next conflict.

I loved reading about everything that goes into providing "final honors" for our soldiers. The dedication that these soldiers shows is unwavering. However, there is more than what sometimes is perceived as a hard-edged martial atmosphere at these funerals. For more than half a century, this environment has been somewhat softened by the presence of the Arlington Ladies, a volunteer force who, dressed as if they were heading for an afternoon tea, turn up at every funeral with a consoling words for surviving friends and family. Often (especially for soldiers whose remains are found long after the conflict in which they served), an Arlington Lady is the only other attendee at these funerals, but it doesn't matter if there's one attendee or 50, the honor guard assigned to each funeral strives for perfection every single time they go out because that deceased soldier deserves this honor.

I am one of those weird & strange people who read EVERYTHING in a book -- the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, the acknowledgements, the appendix, etc. I would like to mention that a portion of the profits from this book will be donated to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nonprofit organization with NO government affiliation that has been helping the surviving friends and family of service members for 20 years -- with a suicide prevention hotline, grief counseling programs, and workshops. To learn more about TAPS, visit their website at: http://taps.org/WaysToDonate

Finally, a huge THANK-YOU to all of our veterans, and especially to those who did make the ultimate sacrifice!

...more

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Oct 21, 2014 Wesley Roth rated it really liked it

"Most of the recent arrivals in Section 60 come from Iraq and Afghanistan, but they rest among warriors from earlier conflicts: from Vietnam, Korea, and even World War II. " Section 60 was a fluidly written story of the brave soldiers that risked everything to defend our great country. I started reading this book on Veterans Day. It is a sobering and sad read, but really brings the reader graveside, among the family, friends and comrades who visit Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery daily. ...more

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Apr 04, 2015 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Thoroughly enjoyed this book documenting the soldiers buried in section 60. As the daughter of a Section 66 Marine I felt the stories reflected how anyone who has been there feels about this hallowed ground.

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Oct 09, 2017 Brandi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: military

Robert Poole writes well researched and moving stories about the heroes buried at Arlington and the survivors left to mourn them in Section 60. Poole covered a variety of stories from the first casualties of the Global War on Terror, the suffering families of PTSD, the unlikely faces of terrorists, IED casualties, friendly fire casualties and repatriation of long dead soldiers from wars past. America has come a long way through each war/conflict in recognizing the sacrifice many have made in lar ...more

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Nov 08, 2015 patrick Lorelli rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history-war

This is a very well researched book with some awesome stories in it. The author also goes into the Old Guard and the hours they train and practice for a funeral, drilling, folding the flag , proper spacing and being line for the rifle salute to name a few. There are 56 soldiers and over 60 horses, and they still follow the tradition started from the civil war. The Marine Corps. Who have their Barracks at 8th and I Streets, S.E. IN Washington, where they have held the ground since 1801. They prac This is a very well researched book with some awesome stories in it. The author also goes into the Old Guard and the hours they train and practice for a funeral, drilling, folding the flag , proper spacing and being line for the rifle salute to name a few. There are 56 soldiers and over 60 horses, and they still follow the tradition started from the civil war. The Marine Corps. Who have their Barracks at 8th and I Streets, S.E. IN Washington, where they have held the ground since 1801. They practice with trash cans loaded with weights doing the slow marching in the dim recess of a basement parking lot, making sure everything is exact. The Marines recruit anyone over six feet tall, and then put them through a rigorous training before they are even allowed to do a funeral. They must bench press 225, seat- press 135, curling a straight bar with 115 pounds, and dead lift 315. The Marines have three men per side for each burial and the other branches have four. This is pride in doing more with less. There is also a very new tradition called “The Ladies of Arlington” who stand in for the family if no one is there, now they make contact with the family and help with what is going on that day. Each story is very moving and the author being able to speak to the members families was really a plus for this book. In a book I read earlier this year tilted the ‘The Reaper” about a Ranger sniper Nicholas Irving, he speaks of a day when they came under attack and were in battle for 20 hours before anyone could be med i vac out. One Ranger was Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp. A 21 year old Ranger who died in 2009 but it was days later before they heard about his death, and they were also told that he saved someone life by organ donation. That was all you found out in the book. In this book the author meet a 61 year old woman. Meikle had never meet Koop or anyone from his family. But she traveled from Illinois to section 60 four years later because she is doing great and she would not be alive if it was not for that Army Ranger. Meikles’s friends made it to service and put it on speaker phone so she could hear. She got his heart another man got a kidney. A part of the story that I thought was strange. Was she has now started to have a craving for green beans and she did not like them before the transplant. Talking to his mother it happened to be his favorite food. She now does speaking engagements about organ donation, she has become a friend to his mother. This is just one there are many, many more and each one is very moving. Weather it is a Seal and then each member coming up and pounding their Trident into the casket I cannot imagine the sound that make. I am sure if people look into their families they just might have someone buried there. I have an Aunt and an Uncle who were both Marines and my uncle fought in Vietnam, and wanted to be buried there when he passed. So this was a great book for me to read and the stories were great. I got this book from net galley. ...more

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Oct 29, 2014 J. Ewbank rated it really liked it

Shelves: a-good-read, historical

Robert Poole has written a book that will capture the minds and hearts of people. He takes section 69 from ArlingtonNational Cemetery and tells the stories about some of the men who found their way into the cemetery. When I first received the book I was not sure that it would be very interesting, to discuss a part of the national cemetery, but by giving us the stories of how the men came to reside in the cemetery, their families etc. it was a wonderful book and I did not want it to end. Great jo ...more

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Oct 22, 2014 Nicholas rated it liked it

Shelves: goodreads-win

Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.

This book does a great job of capturing your attention and holding on to it. I thought it was interesting the way the author did the writing for this book,. It was itneresting to read some of the stories of the men in that section of the cemetery. I will admit I was a little iffy about whether I would enjoy this book, but by the end of the book I really did enjoy it. i can even see myself reading similar books like this. I would definitely recomm ...more

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Oct 21, 2014 Samantha Childers rated it it was amazing

The kind of book that every patriotic American should read. I couldn't put it down. This book was haunting, and I will definitely read it again. I won this book from Good Reads Early Reads, and I love it. I would definitely recommend it. ...more

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Dec 28, 2014 Andy Weiss rated it it was amazing

Shelves: war, veteran-s

An excellent sharing of the stories of a few of service members and their families. The diverse nature of these individuals, and different manner of their deaths while their service to our country unites them all with many more in Section 60...

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Nov 26, 2014 Debra Mccall rated it really liked it

Shelves: done

Very moving. Wish I had read this book before visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

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Dec 19, 2014 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

I was fascinated by this book. A great read!

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Mar 21, 2018 Jds rated it liked it

Just like the title says, this book is about Section 60 at Arlington. It's a good introduction to the cemetery, but views everything through the lens of the section where active-duty deaths from the current conflicts are laid to rest.

There is a small amount of big picture history here along with some coverage of the people who make the operation of the cemetery possible, but the biggest share of the content focuses on around a diverse group of around dozen individuals and how they came to be bu ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Marc S. Dickerman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I recently took an interest in Arlington National Cemetery and the Old Guard. This was the third book on the subject I have read. Section 60 is full of historical information of Arlington. Heartwarming stories behind some of the honored dead breakfast bye this section to life I strongly recommend this book

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Jul 03, 2017 Jill rated it it was amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author brings the men to life who died while serving the country through family interviews and photos, while illustrating the families loss and grief.

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Jul 27, 2017 Jackson rated it really liked it

Shelves: military, historical

A personal and often heart breaking look at the section of Arlington National Cemetery where the majority of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid to rest since 2001.

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Aug 20, 2016 Carianne Carleo-Evangelist rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016tbrpile, american-history, non-fiction, dead-tree-books, washington-dc, arlington, history, us-history, 2016-purchase, war

I was first introduced to Poole's writing through On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery which I read while visiting Arlington earlier this year. This newer title focuses on the Veterans laid to rest in Section 60, primarily those who didn't survive Iraq, Afghanistan and other recent conflicts-whether they died in combat, in a training accident, from PTSD or other causes. Like with Hallowed Ground, Poole's writing brings these subjects to live - their stories and their fami ...more

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Jan 16, 2015 Robert Sparrenberger rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I ride by Arlington Cemetery two times a week on my way to work. I often glance up at Arlington House and can see the tombstones of many fallen heroes as I ride by on Metro. Every time I visit Arlington I am no different than other tourists and we visit the popular spots at the cemetery. The next time I go I will take a left hand turn and leave the crowds as they head up the long walk to visit JFK and make my way over to section 60 to pay my respects to our latest heroes.

I have read Mr. Poole's ...more

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Jan 09, 2015 Mary V rated it really liked it

I won SECTION 60: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY: WHERE WAR COMES HOME, by Robert M. Poole as a GoodReads give away. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very interesting and gave quite a bit of information about Arlington Cemetery, as well as the stories of some of our service men and women who are buried there. The book was well written to be interesting and emotional but not a tear-jerker. The statistics were very much eye opening as to the sheer number of casualties our armed services hav ...more

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May 23, 2015 Lisa Dreesman rated it it was amazing

How fitting that I read this over the Memorial Day weekend, and am so glad that I did. Section 60 is the final resting place for soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as those whose remains have recently been located and identified from previous wars. Author Poole honestly but respectfully highlights the backstories of a number of fallen soldiers, many whom have died in combat but also those who have brought the war home with them and could only see one means of escape. Poole brings ...more

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Oct 22, 2014 Mike Emett rated it it was amazing

I actually have an ARC that I won from a goodreads giveaway a couple years ago that I finally got around to read, so I knew I'd be seeing some grammatical mistakes and other editing issues. I also I know that my copy is not complete like the official edition out now. Nevertheless, this was such a tear jerking, touching and moving work. You feel both proud and saddened. Selfishly, I hoped to come across a friend's name, Sgt. Lucas Pyeatt, who is buried in section 60, but I know his story gets tol ...more

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Jul 07, 2015 Sherrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-east-terrorism, social-issues, science-and-medicine, war-and-military, non-fiction, set-in-washington-dc, history, death-and-dying

This is a very interesting and thought provoking read about the inhabitants of one section of Arlington National Cemetery, most of whom fought in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Afghanistan. The author indirectly says a great deal about who is fighting (and dying in) America's wars, and--perhaps not coincidentally--how it is that so few Americans seem to realize there is still a war going on. Each separate chapter is fascinating in its own way.

I would very much like to have a copy of t ...more

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Jan 09, 2015 Book Riot rated it really liked it

This was a very interesting book on the history and emotional stories of Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery. It was eye opening as to the shear number of service members lost in recent wars and the wide range of circumstances that brought them to rest in Section 60. The author, Robert M. Poole, did much research on the topic and put that data together with interviews to create a very interesting book.

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Jan 17, 2015 Marlene rated it it was amazing

I visited Arlington Cemetery on Veteran's Day and was deeply moved by the ceremonies. This book has added to my respect of our military. The professionalism and care that goes on in Section 60 should make every American proud. The personal story of these graves brings home the many sacrifices that our soldiers make for our country. I highly recommend this book. Next time I am in DC, I will visit Section 60 and pay my respects to those buried there. ...more

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Feb 22, 2015 Ami Neiberger-Miller rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This book shares the stories of families of fallen troops who are laid to rest in section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery. I know many of these families personally, am interviewed in the book, and helped the author connect with some of the families. Mr. Poole truly walked the rows alongside our families and tried to capture our stories in a way that was truthful and honored what our loved ones gave this country. I am proud to have been part of this book and hope more people read it.

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May 25, 2015 Read Ng rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, biography, nonfiction

In honor of Memorial Day 2015, I found this book.

It will bring tears to your eyes. A well written series of stories behind some of our country's fallen heroes. I've been to Arlington a few times and have always found it a moving experience. We don't seem to appreciate all that our military has done for this country over the centuries. I salute the brave men and women serving our country.

Have a GoodReads. ...more

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Nov 09, 2014 941 rated it really liked it

This was a great book to read before Veteran's Day. I found the information about the funeral traditions and tombstones interesting. The book definitely makes you reflect on the effect war can have on individuals and families. I have been to Arlington Cemetery several times, but this book has given me an even greater appreciation for our country's service men and women. ...more

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Oct 21, 2014 Jo. rated it really liked it

Shelves: places-to-see-etc, won-on-giveaways

I won an ARC of this book on Goodreads. I liked the book. It touches your heart and will bring tears to your eyes. I live in northern Virginia, not far from Arlington. I see a beautiful place that also brings so much sadness. So Many, So Young.

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Mar 11, 2015 Dpalange44 rated it really liked it

One cannot help but be moved by the stories of men and women interred at Arlington. This book helped demonstrate that each gravestone tells a story.

(The 4 star rating comes mainly from the final chapter which did not go with the rest of the book. )

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Jul 19, 2015 Caitlin rated it it was amazing

Very well written book. Solid stories of soldiers, their families, and Section 60 of Arlington Cemetery. I am impressed to find a book that can tell these stories as they are, with no judgement for or against war, making these soldiers and their families simply humans.

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