Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and the Army National Military Cemeteries, announced today that horse-drawn caissons for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery will resume starting the first week of June after a two-year hiatus. “After careful consideration and coordination, we are pleased to reintegrate the caisson conveyance into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and revered tradition that honors our veterans and service members as they are laid to rest,” Durham-Aguilera said in a recent press release.
The program was halted in May 2023 after two horses, Mickey and Tony, were euthanized in 2022 due to poor living conditions and feed. The remaining horses were moved to a retirement farm in Florida while the Army investigated the cause of deaths and strategized on how to improve living conditions. With the program coming back in June, Durham-Aguilera reported that the caisson horses will only be used a maximum of twice in a day, and up to 10 time per week, moving forward.
A horse-drawn caisson procession is reserved for soldiers killed in action, senior commissioned and noncommissioned officers and senior warrant officers. Those that have received the Medal of Honor or Prisoner of War Medal are also granted caisson processions. Former US presidents may also receive this honor should they request it before their death.
To read more on this story, check out the articles below from The Equiery’s archives.
Updates on US Army Caisson Stable (June & July 2022): https://equiery.com/update-on-u-s-army-caisson-stable/
Army Caisson Horse Klinger Retires (January 2024): https://equiery.com/army-caisson-horse-klinger-retires/
