10 great places to honor our military heroes

— -- With Veterans Day weekend upon us, historian and author Douglas Brinkley talks with Tim Smight for USA TODAY about where to honor military heroes from our nation's history.

General Grant National Memorial New York City

In Riverside Park on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the tomb of Civil War general and 18th president Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) overlooks the Hudson River. "Of all the great generals the U.S. Army has produced, I admire Grant the most," Brinkley says. "I visit his tomb whenever I'm in New York. It's a peaceful place to sit and reflect on the Civil War." 212-666-1640; nps.gov/gegr

Oakwood Cemetery Huntsville, Texas

"Sam Houston (1793-1863), buried in this small cemetery just outside Huntsville, was both an excellent military man and an astute politician," Brinkley says. "He led the Texas forces to victory over Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas, and after statehood served as governor and U.S. senator." 936-295-8113; huntsvilletexas.com

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery Louisville

"Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), our 12th president, was a true hero of the Mexican-American War," Brinkley says. "He was a great fighter and a brilliant strategist. In 1847, against overwhelming odds, he triumphed over Santa Anna in the Battle of Buena Vista. I consider that the greatest upset in U.S. military history." 502-893-3852; www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/zacharytaylor.asp

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Va.

Of the more than 300,000 gravesites in this sprawling military cemetery, perhaps the most significant memorial is the Tomb of the Unknowns. Guarded 24 hours a day by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry, the grave stands as a collective memorial to all unidentified U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in combat. "It's an extraordinarily moving place," Brinkley says. "The site sits on a hill overlooking Washington, D.C., providing a spectacular view of our revered institutions." 703-607-8000; arlingtoncemetery.org