On September 24, 2025, Professor Derek Webb brought members of his constitutional law class and other members of the Catholic Law community to Arlington National Cemetery for a day of reflection and learning. The visit began with Catholic University President Peter Kilpatrick and his wife, Nancy, placing a wreath adorned with a red, white, and blue ribbon bearing the words “The Catholic University of America” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The solemn ceremony honored the sacrifices of military service members and set the tone for the day.

The group explored Arlington House, the historic home of Robert E. Lee, delving into its Civil War significance and its connection to a landmark Supreme Court case. They also viewed the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a profound symbol of the nation's reunification after the Civil War, connecting the Lincoln Memorial with the Lee Memorial in Arlington. Professor Webb’s constitutional law class was studying secession, the Civil War, and Reconstruction that week, making the visit a perfectly timed complement to their coursework.

The visit concluded in Section 5, where students paid respects at the grave sites of Supreme Court justices, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Thurgood Marshall, and William Rehnquist. Reflecting on the experience,

Catholic Law student Anna Turrietta shared, “Watching President Kilpatrick and his wife lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with fellow members of the Catholic University community was a very meaningful experience. Learning about the history of the Tomb was a great reminder of the sacrifices made by our military men and women, including some of my family. The event was a powerful moment of unity.”