The Old Guard places an American flag at each grave in Arlington National Cemetery before Memorial Day.
The Old Guard is the nickname of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, the Army’s oldest active-duty infantry regiment. Its soldiers conduct the annual “Flags-In” tradition at Arlington National Cemetery and several other military cemeteries.
The detail places small flags in front of more than 260,000 headstones and at the cemetery’s major memorials. The work is performed shortly before Memorial Day, allowing visitors to see the cemetery marked with the national colors during the holiday weekend.
This tradition is separate from the President’s wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Old Guard is also known for ceremonial duties in Washington, D.C., including guarding the Tomb and performing military funerals.