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On this day in history June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is established in Virginia

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On this day in history June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is established in Virginia


On this day in history, June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery, our nation’s honorable military burial ground, was officially established. 

The national cemetery began with the seizure of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s hilltop home after he defected to the Confederacy during the Civil War, notes History.com.

The cemetery’s origins in Virginia go back to just before the Civil War. 

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George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of President George Washington, owned a 1,100-acre plantation and constructed on it a memorial to President Washington named Arlington House.

It held the world’s largest collection of memorabilia related to the president, states the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  

A trumpeter from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band plays “Taps” during military funeral honors for a U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, on Feb. 23, 2023.  (U.S. Army Photo by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

“Ownership of his estate passed to Custis’ daughter, who had married Robert E. Lee, and they lived in Arlington House for more than 30 years,” says the same source.  

Lee, a native Virginian, reportedly spent the night in his then-home, Arlington Estate, as he deliberated whether to lead the Union Army — or fight for his home state’s Confederacy.

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He resigned from the U.S. Army on April 20, 1861, the same source stated. 

“With the high hilltop position overlooking Washington, D.C., Lee knew the Union forces were likely to seize the property.”

“He left for Richmond, Virginia, the next day, and told his wife, the great-granddaughter of first lady Martha Washington, to vacate their house,” said History.com. 

“With the high hilltop position overlooking Washington, D.C., Lee knew the Union forces were likely to seize the property, which was in a mostly rural area at the time.”

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Although Mrs. Lee first resisted, she accepted the inevitable Union takeover of the family estate. 

On May 24, 1864, Union troops moved into Arlington and occupied the house, multiple sources note.

Memorial Day flags

Memorial Day flags are shown in front of gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The first soldier was buried in Arlington in May 1864.  (iStock)

Because of ill will against the South held by Union Brig. Gen. Montgomery Meigs, and the need for burial space for the Union dead, this commander of forces at Arlington urged the federal government to convert 200 acres of Lee’s property into a cemetery, reports U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The first soldier was buried in Arlington in May 1864. 

By the end of the Civil War, 16,000 graves filled the spaces close to Arlington House, the same source recounts.

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Within a year, more than 5,000 soldiers, mainly privates, were buried there. 

William Henry Christman on May 13, 1864, according to History.com, was the first person to be buried in Arlington. The native of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania died of measles and had only served in the Army about 60 days, the same source said. 

“About a month later, on June 15, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ordered that the new cemetery become Arlington National Cemetery, which at the time was about 200 acres. Within a year, more than 5,000 soldiers, mainly privates, were buried there,” says History.com.

Gen. Meigs, who died on Jan. 2, 1892, was laid to rest at Arlington, along with his wife, father and son, says the Library of Congress.

Arlington National Cemetery

A bird flies away as a U.S. Army bugler plays taps during a full-honors funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in November 2014.  (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Arlington became a segregated cemetery, just like all national cemeteries at the time. It remained segregated by race and rank until 1948, when President Harry S. Truman desegregated the military, says the official site of Arlington National Cemetery. 

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The first official “Decoration Day,” later renamed Memorial Day, was held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868. 

Two U.S. presidents are buried at Arlington.

This tradition continues today — and is one reason that Arlington went from being one of many national cemeteries and became the premier national military cemetery, says Arlington National Cemetery’s official site. 

Another important milestone in the cemetery’s history is the creation of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was dedicated on Nov. 11, 1921, with interment of the Unknown from World War I, the same site recounted.

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Two U.S. presidents are buried at Arlington.

President William Howard Taft was buried at Arlington in 1930, and President John F. Kennedy became the second on Nov. 25, 1963, according to multiple sources.

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Today, the cemetery comprises 639 acres. Some 400,000 veterans and their eligible dependents are interred, noted History.com.

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Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot

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Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot


A Virginia woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a murder-for-hire plot, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s office.

Gennevieve McGhee, 44, was allegedly captured via audio and video evidence in the meticulous planning of a murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.

McGhee is accused of meeting with a confidential source at her residence in Ridgeway, Virginia. The source was acting under law enforcement direction and utilizing a recording device to capture evidence.

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Henry County Sheriff’s Office charged Gennevieve McGhee, 44, with criminal solicitation of murder following an investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in planning a murder for hire. (Henry County Sheriff’s Office)

She allegedly discussed detailed instructions on payment arrangements and instructions for carrying out a robbery and murder.

McGhee is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.

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Gennevieve McGhee, 44, is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. (iStock)

McGhee was taken into custody by deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday and is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.

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The case remains under review by the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. 

Additional information on the case is not available at this time, officials said.



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How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona

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How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona


The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) will meet the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats in the third place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament for the sixth meeting between the two programs.

West Virginia vs. Arizona Series History

Arizona leads 2-3

Last Meeting: March 28, 2008 (NCAA Tournament) WVU 75-65

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When: Friday, November 29

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas, Imperial Arena (3,900)

Tip-off: 3:00 p.m. EST

Stream: ESPN2

Announcers: Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli

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Radio: Tony Caridi (PBP), Brad Howe (analyst) Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College(Radio affiliates)

WVU Game Notes

– West Virginia was scheduled to play in the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis. The tournament was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., due to COVID, and the Mountaineers won the renamed Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.

– WVU is 45-16 in in-season tournaments since 2007.

– With a win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU defeated a Top 5 AP team for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Mountaineers downed No. 3 Kansas in Morgantown, 91-85.

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– Prior to the overtime win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU had lost six straight overtime games.

– This is WVU’s fourth trip outside the United States and Puerto Rico to play a regular season game. WVU played in Cancun in 2013 and 2019 and opened the season in Germany in the 2017 Armed Forces Classic.

– West Virginia is the only team in the country that has two players on the same team who averaged more than 20 points per game from last season — Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg) and Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg)

– West Virginia is 201-55 against nonconference teams in regular season games in the last 21 seasons.

– The Mountaineers have posted a winning nonconference record in 31 of the last 32 seasons.

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– WVU is 265-99 in its last 362 games against unranked teams, including winners of 148 of its last 180 at the WVU Coliseum.

– This is the 116th season and 122nd year overall for WVU basketball, which began in 1903.

– Darian DeVries, who led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .731 winning percentage as a head coach, was named the 23rd head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University on March 24, 2024.

– DeVries has a record of 154-57 (.731) in seven seasons as a head coach, including a 59-16 (.787) mark in the last two-plus seasons.

– This past August, the men’s basketball team went to Italy for a 10-day tour and won all three of its games against international competition.

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– West Virginia returns just 2.8 percent of its scoring from last season’s team (Ofri Naveh).

– The Mountaineers are led by a pair of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Javon Small (Oklahoma State). Last season, DeVries was named an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention selection, while Small earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

– In addition, Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois) and Jayden Stone (Detroit Mercy) will all see considerable action this season.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the 20-member Julius Erving Preseason Watch List, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List.

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– Tucker DeVries was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List.



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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga

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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga


West Virginia got off to a hot start at the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis by knocking off undefeated Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime in their first-round matchup. The Mountaineers have received strong performances to begin the season from two upperclassman transfers: Javon Small and Tucker DeVries.

With each player delivering standout performances, it’s time to start considering them seriously as draft prospects.

Let’s take a closer look at their outings in this big win and dive into their seasons as a whole up to this point.

Tucker DeVries had a big game for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tucker DeVries (12) drives to the basket as Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Michael Ajayi (1) defends during the first half at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Tucker DeVries finished this game with a stuffed stat line of 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. This level of versatility clearly illustrates the type of player he is, as he looked solid in nearly every aspect of the game. He has good positional size at 6-foot-7 and plays with a very high IQ on both ends of the floor. His defensive impact was especially noticeable, as he consistently made impactful plays, including a steal that led to free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation. DeVries finished the second half on a 5-0 run, which gave West Virginia momentum to capture the game in overtime.

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DeVries has had a solid all-around season leading up to this performance, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, two assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks, with shooting splits of 36.6%/40.7%/81.3%. If he were to be drafted following this season, it would likely be in the second round, but his versatile play style is very promising.

Javon Small has impressed for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Javon Small (7) shoots during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Javon Small led the Mountaineers in scoring during this upset victory, contributing 31 points on impressive shooting splits of 50%/40%/81.8%. In addition to his scoring, he also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and added one steal and one block. Small is a quick and slippery guard who stayed in attack mode throughout the game, translating well into fast-break opportunities. Rarely staying in one spot on offense, Small kept the floor spaced and forced his defender to fight through traffic to keep up with him. His offensive approach was patient as he waited for his defender to get off balance before attacking.

Before this game, Small had averaged 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, four assists and three steals. He leads the Mountaineers in points, assists, and steals, while providing a noticeable spark on a nightly basis. Small is now at his third school in four years, with similar statistics in each of his previous two seasons. As an older guard, it is not guaranteed that he will be drafted, but if this level of productivity continues throughout the season, he may receive an opportunity to prove himself at the next level.

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