Secretary of the Army John McHugh today announced sweeping changes in the management and oversight of Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) following completion of a months-long probe by the Army’s Inspector General.

“While the Inspector General’s (IG) team found that ANC employees – under an extraordinarily high operational tempo of 27 to 30 funerals a day – performed their jobs with dedication and to a high professional standard, they also found them hampered by dysfunctional management, the lack of established policy and procedures, and an overall unhealthy organizational climate,” McHugh said. “That ends today.”

McHugh ordered the investigation following allegations of lost accountability of some graves and poor record keeping, among other issues. The Army released its investigation findings at a Pentagon news conference today. The investigation followed an earlier inspection and management review ordered by McHugh’s predecessor, former Army Secretary Pete Geren, which McHugh expanded shortly after taking office. Those findings were also released today.

“Both reports pointed to the lack of established policies and procedures, a failure to automate records, and long-term systemic problems,” he said.

As part of a series of corrective measures, McHugh established the newly-created position of Executive Director (ED) of the Army National Cemeteries Program, whose duties will include oversight of cemetery management, reviewing and updating policies and procedures, and implementing corrective measures outlined in the investigation and inspection reports. McHugh appointed Kathryn Condon to serve as ED. Condon previously served as the senior civilian for Army Materiel Command – overseeing one of the largest commands in the Army, with more than 60,000 employees in 149 locations worldwide.

Among a host of other changes and initiatives, McHugh is establishing an Army National Cemeteries Advisory Commission, which will include officials from outside the Army to regularly review policies and procedures, and provide additional guidance and support. McHugh has enlisted the services of former senators and Army veterans Max Cleland and Bob Dole to begin that effort.

Dole represented Kansas in the Senate for three decades, and in 2007 co-chaired a commission investigating deficiencies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In addition to serving as senator from Georgia, Cleland is a former head of the Department of Veterans Affairs and currently serves as secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission, which oversees American burial grounds in foreign countries, including the American cemetery and memorial in Normandy, France. Both are decorated Army veterans.

ANC Superintendent John Metzler Jr., will remain in his post supporting funerals and ceremonial activities until July 2 – when he retires from federal service. However, Metzler will now report directly to the new executive director, and has received a letter of reprimand from McHugh based on the IG’s findings.

At McHugh’s request, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is providing a detailee while the Army conducts a nationwide search for a new superintendent.

Patrick K. Hallinan, director of the Office of Field Programs for the VA, who is responsible for the development and implementation of National Cemetery Policy, will be temporarily reassigned to ANC as its superintendent. Hallinan has more than 31 years of cemetery service, and currently has oversight responsibilities for 130 national cemeteries.

The cemetery’s deputy superintendent was placed on administrative leave pending a disciplinary review in the wake of the findings.

“Arlington National Cemetery is the place where valor rests, a place of reverence and respect for all Americans,” McHugh said. “The Army recognizes its sacred responsibility to ensure America’s confidence in the operation of its most hallowed ground, and to the heroes for whom this is their final resting place. I believe these changes will do just that.”

In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, the Army National Cemeteries Program includes the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, DC.

The IG’s report and other documents are located on the Web at http://www.army.mil/arlington.

Source: Department of Defense

For more Arlington National Cemetery news (http://uspolitics.einnews.com/news/arlington-national-cemetery), visit US Politics Today (http://uspolitics.einnews.com), a service of EIN News.

Dana M. Burley, Clerk for the New Jersey General Assembly, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in research and record maintenance.

As a clerk for the New Jersey General Assembly, Dana M. Burley is responsible for maintaining salary and benefit records. She became involved in her position after gaining experience in the research arena, and she attributes her success to her humility and persistence.

Ms. Burley received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Spelman College in 1987. She is a member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries.

For more information about New Jersey General Assembly, visit http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/ols.asp.

About Cambridge Who’s Who
With over 400,000 members representing every major industry, Cambridge Who’s Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Cambridge Who’s Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies and makes them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services. Cambridge is pleased to welcome its new Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking, Donald Trump Jr., who is eager to share his extensive experience in this arena with members.

Cambridge Who’s Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third party endorsement of their accomplishments and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships.

Headquartered in Long Island’s premier office building, RXR Plaza, the Cambridge Who’s Who staff spans more than 10 departments and comprises a team of nearly 200 highly skilled and dedicated employees. Together they work to provide members with the recognition and exposure needed to further their careers, expand their businesses and network effectively in an economy where referrals are more important than ever.

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In light of the recent General Election results, the legendary Parliamentary pub The Red Lion will host a special “Generation Jones Day” event on 16 June 2010, in honor of the UK’s new generation of leadership. As part of this event, The Red Lion will offer GenJones-themed elements for the general public, including special music and complimentary food items, as well as special offers for all Generation Jones MPs who attend.

After decades of Baby Boomer MPs in power, the recent election saw the torch passed to Generation Jones leaders: born between 1955 and 1967. Approximately half of the new Parliament and Cabinet, as well as Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, are members of this generation between the Boomers and Generation X. Since the election, numerous political commentators have emphasized the historic importance of this generational transition.

The Red Lion’s “Generation Jones Day” event will include numerous components related to this age group. Popular music from the 1970s/1980s, when GenJonesers were in their teens and twenties, will be played throughout the event. Complimentary Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehogs—a nostalgic favourite for GenJonesers from the 1970s/1980s—will be available for all who attend. Other nostalgic food—like fish ‘n’ chips wrapped in “newspaper”—will be available for purchase. In addition to the various offerings for the general public, GenJones MPs who attend this event will receive other specials, including a free drink upon arrival.

Peter “The Baron” Cliffe—the well-known London Publican who manages The Red Lion—said: “Here at The Red Lion, our history is so intertwined with Parliament that we are honored to mark important moments in its history. With Parliament so dominated now by one generation of MPs, we are quite happy to pay tribute to them.”

The Red Lion has long been closely associated with Parliament. The first Red Lion was built on its site in 1434, and it sits on Parliament Street, directly next to The Palace of Westminster and is the closest pub to 10 Downing Street. Because of its history and location, it has long been a favourite among MPs. The pub has a division bell which is rung to notify MPs that a vote is about to be taken in Parliament and the TV in the main bar is tuned into the Parliament Channel. The Red Lion is owned by Fuller’s–London’s only remaining traditional family brewer.

“Generation Jones Day” will be from 2:00pm to 9:00pm on 16 June 2010 at The Red Lion Pub, located at 48 Parliament Street London SW1A 2NH. Westminster is the closest tube stop.

For more info, or for media interviews, please contact Peter Cliffe at Tel: 020 7930 5826, or on email at redlionwestminster@fullers.co.uk