Arlington National Cemetery has quietly removed numerous internal website links that highlighted the achievements of Black, Hispanic and female veterans, complying with recent Pentagon orders eliminating online materials that reference diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

This change follows a directive issued by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in February, mandating that by March 5, all Department of Defense websites must eliminate content deemed to "promote" DEI. This aligns with executive orders initiated by former President Donald Trump, banning DEI practices across federal government programs and contracts.

The modifications at Arlington National Cemetery were first brought to public attention by historian Kevin M. Levin on his Substack blog "Civil War Memory," later gaining additional scrutiny from military news outlet Task & Purpose. Arlington spokespersons subsequently confirmed the removals, emphasizing ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with administrative guidelines.

Previously prominent pages, such as "African American History," "Hispanic American History," and "Women’s History," no longer have direct links from the cemetery's main educational sections. Though the biographies remain accessible indirectly through alternative pages or manual searches, critics argue that this reduces visibility and diminishes the historical significance of minority and female veterans.

Among the biographies affected are significant historical figures like Gen. Colin Powell, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the high court; and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, buried alongside her Army veteran husband. Additionally impacted are narratives about the Tuskegee Airmen—America's pioneering Black military aviators—and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II.

Information regarding prominent Hispanic American veterans was similarly impacted. Removed direct references include Captain Maria Ines Ortiz, the first Army nurse killed in combat since the Vietnam War, and Humbert Roque Versace, a Medal of Honor recipient who endured captivity in Vietnam.

Additionally, educational materials related to the Civil War, including lesson plans and detailed historical context regarding Arlington’s connection to that conflict, have been drastically pared back or entirely removed. These materials previously included extensive information about the United States Colored Troops, Black American regiments that significantly contributed to Union forces.

Raul “Danny” Vargas, founder of the American Latino Veterans Association, expressed deep concern over the removals. "We cannot shy away from our nation's military history," Vargas stated, emphasizing the essential role Hispanic veterans played in building and defending the United States over centuries.

Historian Levin, reflecting broader concerns within educational communities, voiced frustration and disappointment over the policy shift. "This is just the kind of history we want students to learn," he remarked, warning that restoring the content is far from straightforward and that trust built through historical education efforts could be permanently undermined.

Pentagon and Army spokespeople have provided limited comments beyond confirming adherence to current executive guidelines. Arlington Cemetery’s spokesperson stated the institution remains proud of its educational outreach and is working diligently to align removed content with current directives.

Despite assurances, the removal of easily accessible historical narratives raises significant questions regarding the impact of policy changes on public historical education. Observers fear the implications extend beyond Arlington, potentially affecting how military history is shared and celebrated nationwide.

As organizations and individuals express growing concerns about erasure of critical historical narratives, discussions continue regarding how institutions can maintain comprehensive historical representation within evolving policy frameworks. For now, Arlington National Cemetery navigates complex requirements while seeking to uphold its mission of honoring America's diverse military legacy.