United States

Soldiers Place 230,000 US Flags at Arlington Cemetery

"It's kind of like a salute to each person in its own way"

Soldiers placed nearly a quarter-million U.S. flags at Arlington National Cemetery Thursday as part of a Memorial Day tradition.

The event is known as "flags in.'' It marks the beginning of Memorial Day weekend activities at the cemetery.

"Every person I walk by, I like to look at their name and understand who they are where they came from," said Cpl. Jonathan Little.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington says in a statement that the tradition began in 1948. The mission is carried out by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Old Guard.'' The unit puts every available soldier to work, planting small flags in front of the more than 230,000 grave markers.

"It's kind of like a salute to each person in its own way," said Pfc. Eric Neeley.

The soldiers also place about 14,000 flags at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington.

The flags are removed after Memorial Day, before the cemeteries open to the public.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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