While memorial services in Memorial Amphitheater are common , the amphitheater has also hosted the funerals of many famous Americans . The first funeral to be held in the amphitheater was that of sculptor Moses Jacob Ezekiel , creator of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery , on March 30 , 1921 . Other funerals held in the amphitheater since then include those of General of the Armies John J. " Black Jack " Pershing , General of the Air Force Henry H. " Hap " Arnold , Secretary of Defense James Forrestal , and Antarctic explorer and Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd . A funeral service for the unidentified remains of 30 victims of the September 11 attacks on The Pentagon was held at Memorial Amphitheater in 2002 . It was the first time the amphitheater had held such a service since the interment of an unknown member of the armed forces representing Vietnam War dead in 1984
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Arlington Memorial Amphitheater