Thousands flock to Arlington National Cemetery for Easter Sunrise Service

Three thousand filled the Vermont-quarried marble seats of Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater for the Easter Sunrise Service March 27.

The non-denominational worship service, hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Mike Henderson, began with a prelude by The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," conducted by U.S. Army 1st Lt. Richard K. Henebry, and a call to worship at 6:30 a.m., delivered by U.S. Army Chap. (Lt. Col.) Steven M. Jones, JBM-HH chaplain. Jones highlighted the moment by thanking attendees in the audience as well as deployed service members who could not be present.

"As we gather on this resurrection morning, I would ask you to join me in remembering all of our military service members who are unable to be with us today because of deployments to dangerous places around the world," Jones said. "Be mindful also of their families and loved ones who celebrate this Easter without them. Because of them, you and I enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to worship in freedom here in this beautiful place."

For at least a handful of attendees interviewed by the Pentagram, the event was memorable, especially for those who were attending their first sunrise service inside Arlington National Cemetery.

"I hadn't been out to Arlington National Cemetery before, so this was really a significant time and occasion to venture here for the first time," said U.S. Army Pfc. Cody Morris.

"It's certainly a memorable experience and a really memorable place to be in," said U.S. Army Pvt. Dominick Perea. "A lot went into this event, and it's evident with the number of chaplains who came from across the National Capital Region and the remarks which touched pretty much everyone."

"There's a connectedness you get in this kind of fellowship," U.S. Army Pfc. Jonathan Gretz added.

U.S. Army Chap. (Brig. Gen.) Thomas L. Solhjem, the 25th deputy chief of chaplains for the Army, delivered the keynote message.

"It's my honor and privilege to bring you good news this beautiful Easter morning," he told the crowd during his opening statement.

Solhjem delivered an Easter sermon about Christ's resurrection, a story about a man's journey: he spoke of Christ's journey leading up to his death and his immortality thereafter. But Solhjem also left attendees with a lesson.

"The reality of the resurrection leaves us with the ultimate form of readiness," Solhjem said. "Readiness is very important. It's important to the military. It's also important in life and extremely important in death…there is a certain hope and promise of a life to come."

Others to take the podium included U.S. Army Chap. (Col.) Gary Studniewski, command chaplain for Joint Forces Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington; U.S. Army Chap. (Lt. Col.) Grace R. Hollis, Arlington National Cemetery; U.S. Navy Chap. (Cmdr.) C. Michael Pumphrey, U.S. Navy Joint Plans and Operations chaplain; JFHQ-NCR/MDW; U.S. Army Chap. (Maj.) Derek W. Murray, deputy chaplain, JBM-HH; U.S. Air Force Chap. (Maj.) Kevin M. Hudson, Arlington National Cemetery; and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Rafael Lopez, command chaplain assistant for JFHQ-NCR/MDW.

The U.S. Army Band and Chorus played and sang the concluding postlude. Morris said that while the service was unique, Christian fellowship extends beyond a single celebration, such as the Easter Sunrise Service.

"I would tell others that came to stay spiritually active," Morris said. "Yes, attending a high-profile Easter service like this is a great unique experience, but there's more fellowship to do."

Pentagram Staff Writer Arthur Mondale can be reached at awright@dcmilitary.com.