Book Review: Arlington Anthology
Across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., directly opposite the white marble temple of Abraham Lincoln, lays this nation's most sacred of grounds, Arlington National Cemetery.
Upon these hallowed grounds are buried some of our nation's finest from as far back as the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and II, Korean War, Vietnam and Iraq, and Afghanistan. Some 310,000 men and women call Arlington their final resting place, while every day another 25 brave men and women join them. 
These, our countrymen, flawed and imperfect, stepped forward when called and did what they could for an ideal, be it Democracy or freedom or country, family or brother.
This book by Ron MacDonald is incredible in telling the true stories of 119 individuals buried in Arlington National Cemetery - stories so eloquently written of ordinary men and women who showed courage and bravery against insurmountable odds.
The author's writing style for each of the 119 stories in this anthology is to "speak" in the first person, thereby allowing the reader to get a true sense of each person's background, the war in which they were fighting and of his or her bravery and sacrifice.
Clearly, the author searched thousands of historical and eyewitness accounts to create individual stories of bravery and sacrifice. It is also obvious that he did extensive research on each individual, allowing him to understand who they were and what they were thinking.
Among the most famous heroes written about in this well-written anthology are Medal of Honor awardees Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, Maj. Audie Murphy, Col. Robert Howard, and Capt. Joe Hooper. There is WWII cartoonist Sgt. William "Bill" Mauldin and American Red Cross Nurse Harriet Gowen. Stories that come from the Civil War include Brig. Gen. John Gibbon. He also "speaks" for the Unknown Soldiers from both the Confederacy and the Union Armies.
Each of the individuals featured in this book touched and changed for the better the world in which we live. These noble souls who reside in Arlington National Cemetery bid us to think of life, not death.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about those who served our country with honor, courage, and bravery in all our wars. You will also love the author's style in writing in the first person.
Reader Reviews
Ron is an amazing writer. His stories of heroism often brought me to tears as I read of the great sacrifices these people made in the name of freedom. Makes me proud to be an American. God bless the men and women who risked and gave their lives for our great country. Ron MacDonald has made America proud, reminding us of the true price of freedom. These are stories of average people who went above and beyond to defend freedom for every American. The white markers on an endless field of graves at Arlington National Cemetery are not just graves. They are where heroes lie. Rest in peace!
~Kelley Pierson
Through his knowledge, Ron has accomplished the task of giving his readers a good understanding of what it's like to die in wartime. If you were any type of hero, like Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy, you can actually end up being buried with honor at Arlington.
I really liked Ron's style of writing.
~James E. Hanna
Excellent read. A must have for any history buff
~Joseph A. Barrera
About the Author
A native Californian, Ron MacDonald has been an accomplished and published photographer for over 20 years. While traveling and photographing in Europe he visited many historical cemeteries, including Omaha Beach Cemetery, where he found his uncle's final resting place. His love history drove him to tell the untold stories of those who reside at Arlington National Cemetery
Editor's Notes: Arlington National Cemetery is a historic 624-acre burial ground on the Potomac River that honors the service and sacrifice of America's brave military and their families.
Since the Civil War, more than 330,000 of our nation's fallen and veterans have been laid to rest at Arlington. When the Cemetery first opened on June 28, 1864 - it was not yet considered an honor to be buried at Arlington. Only those whose families could not afford to pay for a service or died unknown were interred there. No one then foresaw that Arlington Cemetery would become this country's greatest shrine to our fallen heroes.
Since its founding in 1866, Arlington National Cemetery has provided a solemn place to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces in the name of our country.
Soldiers killed in the Revolutionary War were brought from a neighboring cemetery to Arlington in 1892, as were those killed in the War of 1812. That's what makes the cemetery unique among national memorials: It's a comprehensive representation of American military history, filled with stories of courage and service.
Arlington National Cemetery, the most famous cemetery in the country, is the final resting place for many of our nation's greatest heroes, and veterans of every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan.