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There are certain moments in life that are so clarifying that they instantly become cherished memories. On Dec. 11, 2010, Arlington National Cemetery became one for Nora Batten.
Batten, an executive administrative specialist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, visited the nation’s most hallowed cemetery as part of the volunteer force with Wreaths Across America. This non-profit group, which began 19 years ago, lays wreaths every year at the 550 national cemeteries throughout United States.
While at Arlington, Batten also paid respects to her cousin U.S. Marine Corps PFC Christopher C. Thorne, who died Oct. 23, 1983, from a terrorist bombing of his barracks while stationed in Beirut, Lebanon. Batten also visited the gravesite of her friend U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan K. Dozier, who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom on Jan. 9, 2008, when an IED detonated during combat operations.

After viewing the time-honored changing of the guard at Arlington, Batten dropped by the historic gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, our nation’s 35th president. After the assassination of President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Army Corps of Engineers was tasked to locate, design and construct a “temporary” gravesite at Arlington, complete with an eternal flame – and all in one day. In 1965, Norfolk District planned and managed the design and construction of the “permanent” resting site for America’s youngest president. (U.S. Army photo/Nora Batten)