Whether it's braving the bitter cold temperature in the winter or sweltering day of summer, the Naval District Washington chaplains continue to carry out their mission to honor our nation's heroes and to provide pastoral care for their families.

Navy chaplains, in partnership with Army and Air Force chaplains, have the sacred duty and privilege to provide religious ministry at Arlington National Cemetery funerals. They are responsible for honoring the men and women who sacrificed and gave so much for their country providing the religious service at their last resting place.

"Historically, the chaplains assigned to Naval District Washington are the ones that support the mission at the Arlington National Cemetery; however, I would say that we have been blessed because the chaplains assigned to the units outside of NDW volunteer support on a regular basis at Arlington National Cemetery," said Regional Chaplain Naval District Washington Capt. Mark Steiner.

"One of the reasons they do this is because some of them are assigned to Marine Corps units and recognizing that last year, 555 Marines were buried at Arlington," said Steiner.

The commitment the chaplains have is unbreakable and they do it with pride despite the volume of funeral service they administer.

"Another challenge we face is the high volume of burials we get, we try to give every person and every family member the pastoral care and the time that we want and need to give them," said Lt. William Newsome, Arlington National Cemetery supervisory chaplain. "Everything here at Arlington is on a timed schedule. Throughout the year we do a total of 2,100 services for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard."

As part of their duties, Navy Chaplains provide service to all the sea service branches, which include Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

"One of the best things is that you meet members that serve in the military and family members from all over the country," said Newsome.

Chaplains also facilitate religious support from fellow chaplains and civilian clergy members to provide the widest possible faith-specific coverage for deceased veterans and their families. It is not uncommon for each Navy chaplain assigned to Arlington National Cemetery to conduct as many as six burials a day. The chaplains assigned to Arlington oversaw an average of more than 9,000 burials between 2012 and the current fiscal year.

"Our days are busy, we can have anywhere from three to six services a day," said Newsome. "We work alongside the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Ceremonial Guard units and the honor they bestow on the deceased, whether it is by the way they're folding the flags and presenting them, the way that the band is playing music I think is very inspiring."

The grounds of Arlington National Cemetery honor those who have served our nation by providing a sense of beauty and peace for its guests.

"When families bring their loved ones to Arlington to have their final resting place, Arlington National Cemetery is symbolic of the dignity and honor that we give our service members for the sacrifice they've made in support of our nation," said Steiner. "All of our chaplains understand and treat that responsibility in a very sacred way and therefore regardless of the rank and faith group our chaplains make sure that each individual has the highest quality pastoral care and that each person is treated with dignity and honor."

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/.