McKee Grave, Memorial sculpture in Arlington National Cemetery, United States.
The McKee Grave is a marble monument depicting a robed angel holding flowers and standing on a stepped base with a large cross. The sculpture rises approximately nine feet and occupies a visible location within the cemetery grounds.
The monument was erected in 1890 to honor Lieutenant Thomas Hudson McKee, who served in the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He was captured at Moorefield in 1863, and his family chose to commemorate him with this substantial work.
The grave marker reflects how families have expressed their grief and remembrance through elaborate artistic monuments at this cemetery. It demonstrates the role of sculptural memorials in showing love and respect for the departed.
The monument is located in Section 1 of the cemetery and stands out due to its size and angel sculpture, making it relatively easy to locate. Visitors should walk slowly through the grounds and be respectful of the many surrounding memorials.
Nancy McKee commissioned this large marble sculpture deliberately to obstruct the view of General Kelley's grave located behind it. This act of personal sentiment from a family dispute remains visible in the cemetery's layout today.
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