05/25/2026
In preparation of Memorial Day 2026, in the early morning dawn of May 21, 2026, soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," marched into the only two national cemeteries managed by the Army, their rucksacks packed with small American flags.
Their mission: to honor America's fallen heroes by placing a flag in front of each headstone and columbarium column — approximately 250,000 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, and 13,500 at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington.
This tradition, known as "Flags In," takes place annually at both cemeteries on the Thursday before Memorial Day. As the soldiers fanned out through Arlington National Cemetery's 639 acres, they placed a booted toe against each headstone and columbarium column before inserting a flag into the ground at their heel, creating a uniform distance for each flag.
"Flags In" connects today's soldiers to generations of military service and sacrifice spanning 250 years of American history. The Old Guard has been placing flags in front of headstones since 1948, when it was first designated as the Army's official ceremonial unit.
Tomb guards, also members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, placed flags at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the three unknown soldiers buried there, along with all unidentified and missing American service members.
Remembering and honoring those who paid the ultimate price for the United States of America.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Fraser, Army
Source: Arlington National Cemetery
