WASHINGTON – Arlington National Cemetery is ready for Memorial Day.
Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Army’s official ceremonial unit, Thursday placed flags before the graves and niches of all service members buried at both Arlington and the U.S. Soldier’s and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.
The annual tradition is known as “flags in” and honors U.S. service members ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
According to Arlington Cemetery’s website, placing the flags at the more than 267,000 graves and niches at Arlington takes the regiment members about three hours. Members of the Old Guard will remain at the cemetery through the weekend to ensure a flag remains for each service member.
Four flags are also placed before the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery begins at 11 a.m. Monday.
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