As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment is commemorating the nation’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.

The United States flag stands as a powerful symbol of Memorial Day, representing freedom, sacrifice, and remembrance.

In 1948, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment was chosen as the Army’s official ceremonial unit. This tradition, known as the “Flags In,” has taken place every year since. Along with members of other service branches, soldiers place small American flags in front of more than 260,000 headstones and at the bottom of about 7,000 niche rows in the cemetery’s Columbarium Courts and Niche Wall. Each flag is placed into the ground, exactly one boot length from the headstone’s base.

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At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Sentinels, who are members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, place flags to honor the Unknowns. Army chaplains also place flags in front of the headstones and four memorials located on Chaplains’ Hill in Section 2.

Before the cemetery opens to the public on Memorial Day, all flags are removed.