VIRGINIA
Arlington National Cemetery
The soil collected from Arlington carries profound national significance. This land is home to Arlington National Cemetery—one of the most sacred sites in the United States and the final resting place of more than 400,000 service members, veterans, and their families.
The Patriot Soil Project has carefully gathered soil from over 2,000 resting places within Arlington, including sites connected to some of America’s most notable heroes. It was a great honor to be in their presence and to carefully collect this soil, recognizing the deep responsibility and reverence such an act requires. The photos below reflect only a small sampling of the images taken. Each collection is handled with the utmost respect, honoring the lives, service, and sacrifice represented in this historic ground.
As you view these images, we encourage you to take a moment to look up the names on the headstones and learn more about each individual’s story. Behind every name is a life of service, a family, and a unique journey—stories of bravery, dedication, and sacrifice that extend far beyond what can be captured in a single photograph. Taking the time to explore who they were helps ensure their legacy continues to live on, not just in history, but in our collective memory and understanding.
This soil stands as a tribute to courage, sacrifice, and unity. By preserving and sharing soil from Arlington, we honor not just a place, but the enduring legacy of those who served and the freedoms they helped secure. In the not-too-distant future, the Patriot Soil Flag will also be visiting, continuing this mission of remembrance and national connection. It is our hope that one day a Patriot Tree will be planted on these grounds, representing all who have served our great nation throughout its history.
Staunton National Cemetery
Staunton National Cemetery is a small, historic U.S. national cemetery located in Staunton, Virginia. Established in the aftermath of the Civil War in the late 1860s, it serves as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died in key Shenandoah Valley battles such as Cross Keys, Port Republic, and Waynesboro. Many of those interred are unknown soldiers, reflecting the realities of wartime burials and later reinterment efforts.
Covering just over an acre, it is one of the smallest cemeteries in the national system. It is no longer open to new full burials except in limited circumstances involving eligible family members, and today functions primarily as a preserved historic memorial site.
The cemetery is also recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, and is maintained as a quiet, contemplative space open to visitors daily from dawn to dusk.
In addition, the Patriot Soil Project has collected a small sampling of soil from approximately 250 resting places at the cemetery, helping preserve a symbolic connection to those interred there.
Staunton National Cemetery stands today as a solemn reminder of Civil War sacrifice and the enduring legacy of America’s military history.
