Arlington Ladies

[1] The history of the group traces its existence to 1948, when Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Hoyt Vandenberg, and his wife Gladys, witnessed young servicemembers being buried without any family members present on one of their walks through the cemetery.

Just a chaplain and a military honor guard, the standard attendees, were usually present.

The lack of anyone honoring the young airman being buried prompted Gladys to form a group of members of the Officers' Wives Club to attend all Air Force funerals.

Escorts were eventually added as it was decided that they should appear to be a more official part of the ceremony.

The Navy and Air Force follow similar requirements for their ladies.