Flags In 75th Anniversary

May 27, 2023

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U.S. Army soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) place U.S. flags at gravesites in Section 25 and U.S. Coast Guard members place U.S. flags at gravesites in Section 39 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia during the 75th anniversary of Flags In on May 25, 2023. Over 1,000 service members placed more than 260,000 flags at gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.

Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Army photos by Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery.

Flags In 75th Anniversary video

"Flags In" Tradition

The United States flag is one of the most significant symbols of Memorial Day, representing freedom, sacrifice and remembrance. Just before Memorial Day weekend, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (also known as The Old Guard) honors America's fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites for service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery.

This tradition, known as "Flags In," has taken place annually since the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment was designated as the Army's official ceremonial unit in 1948. Every available soldier in the Old Guard participates, along with members of other service branches. They place small American flags in front of more than 260,000 headstones and at the bottom of about columbarium 7,000 niche rows. Each flag is inserted into the ground, exactly one boot length from the headstone's base.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Sentinels (who are members of the Old Guard) place flags to honor the Unknowns. Army chaplains place flags in front of the headstones and four memorials located on Chaplains' Hill in Section 2.

All flags are removed after Memorial Day, before the cemetery opens to the public.

U.S. Army | U.S. Marine Corps | U.S. Navy | U.S. Air Force | U.S. Space Force | National Guard | U.S. Coast Guard

Honoring The Fallen | Don't Weep For Me | Remember The Fallen | Tears For Your Fallen | Our Wounded

Our Valiant Troops | I Am The One | Answering The Call | Brave Young | Brave Blue | Our Heroes, America's Best

Veterans | Citizens Like Us | Vietnam War Veterans | Spouses Serve Too

Americans | I Am An American! | We The People | America's Destiny | Give Thanks | Love and Pride of USA | National Will

God and Country | One Nation Under God | America's Symbol | Old Glory | Hooray USA! | America, My Home!

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