RIDGE RUNNER CHRONICLES: Arlington National Cemetery and My Friend, Dick Diehl

By Editor | April 28, 2026 |

If you have ever been to the Arlington National Cemetery, directly across the Potomac River from our nation’s capital, it was probably a memorable experience for you. The setting is picturesque, situated on a hill overlooking Washington, D.C., with rows of neatly arranged graves and plenty of shade trees. There are more than 430,000 men and women who have been buried there since its initial days as a cemetery, which began in 1864 as the Civil War was winding down. Ironically, much of the 639 acres in Arlington had been owned by the Confederate General, Robert E. Lee, prior to the outbreak of the Civil War but was confiscated by the Union shortly after the war began due to its strategic location. Today, Arlington is the second largest military cemetery in the US, with over 150 burials being conducted there per week. It is also the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, the burial sites for 396 Metal of Honor recipients, several astronauts and many other famous persons connected in one way or another to this great country of ours. Arlington is truly hallowed ground.
For obvious reasons, there are restrictions on who is eligible to be buried at Arlington. While a majority of the persons buried at Arlington were former active duty military personnel, military service in the US military is not a requirement in order to be buried there. For example, Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, all of whom did not serve in the military, are buried there. But generally speaking, in order for military personnel to be buried there today, you are eligible for internment or inurnment only if you are the recipient of the Congressional Metal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star or the Purple Heart.
My college roommate at the University of Michigan was Richard (Dick) Diehl. We met our first day at Michigan and remained close friends from 1958 until his death just three weeks ago at the age of 85. Dick played football at Michigan while also earning a mechanical engineering degree. After graduation, he was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. It did not take long for him to be airborne qualified, a Ranger, and a special forces soldier. Dick served two combat tours in Viet Nam. He was on active duty a total of 23 years, retiring as a Colonel. After retirement, he got a law degree, practiced law for 16 years and eventually wound up his career with the Department of Defense until shortly before his death. Last week, his son-in-law sent me Dick’s obituary and I was stunned because as long as we were friends, Dick never mentioned that he was awarded two silver stars, five bronze stars, and two purple hearts relating to his courage in combat. He also received two Legion of Merit awards, he was a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and the War College and he was hand-picked by General Colin Powell to oversee the development of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
What an outstanding example of dedication by a soldier to his country! If anyone deserves to be buried at Arlington these days, it is Dick Diehl. On September 23, he will finally be laid to rest at Arlington, and God willing, I hope to be there with his family for the funeral. I have no doubt that had I died first, Dick would have been at mine.
Rest in peace, my friend.
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■ Bill Hoagland has practiced law in Alton for more than 50 years, but he has spent more than 70 years hunting, fishing and generally being in the great outdoors. His wife, Annie, shares his love of the outdoor life. Much of their spare time is spent on their farm in Calhoun County. Bill can be reached at [email protected].