Flags In

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 7:02pm

"Flags-in"

Each year for the past 40 years, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) has honored America's fallen heroes by placing American flags before the gravestones and niches of service members buried at both Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery just prior to Memorial Day weekend.

This tradition, known as "flags in," has been conducted annually since The Old Guard was designated as the Army's official ceremonial unit in 1948. Every available soldier in the 3rd U.S. Infantry participates, placing small American flags one foot in front and centered before each grave marker.

During an approximately three-hour period, the soldiers place flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones and about 7,300 niches at the cemetery's columbarium. Another 13,500 flags are placed at the Soldier's and Airmen's Cemetery. As part of this yearly memorial activity, Old Guard soldiers remain in the cemetery throughout the weekend, ensuring that a flag remains at each gravestone.

American flags are also placed at the graves of each of the four unknown service men interred at the Tomb of the Unknowns, by the Tomb Sentinels. All flags are removed after Memorial Day before each cemetery is opened to the public.


I love this ceremony and tradition.
And wish to say thank you to all who have served, and continue to serve.

Meaningful Memorial Day Weekend to all.
Flags In

[DG]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 7:11pm

I believe they do this at the National Cemetary in Los Angeles, as well.

Remembrance is vital, as is our thanks.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 7:35pm

Thanks for posting adgal. Every Memorial Day should be seen as more than just a "day off", but even moreso this year.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 8:43pm

when we went to the cemetary this morning, someone had put flags on both my grandfather's graves, as well as all the other veterans graves.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 10:31am

On Memorial Day, a moment of thanks.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 10:48am

Thanks, Addy. I was thinking about how unfortunate it is that Memorial Day is more about big sales and barbecues than it is about remembering the dead.

One need not be no have been a supporter of various wars to show respect and acknowledge lives cut short for something they believed in. Or were drafted into. Doesn't matter, either way. I still perceive it as a melancholy day.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 11:15am

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 11:16am

A picture is worth a thousand words, Sueleen.
Beautiful.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 11:49am

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.