The Old Guard Leads 75th Annual Flags-In Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

5/25/2023

ARLINGTON, VA—On Thursday, May 25, Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington conducted a joint service “Flags-In” ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery (SAHNC). This annual event, held on the Thursday before Memorial Day, honors every individual laid to rest at ANC and SAHNC.

Within four hours, more than 1,000 service members from the Old Guard, the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, the U.S Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard placed small American flags at more than 260,000 headstones and at the bottom of approximately 7,000 niche rows in the cemetery’s columbarium courts and niche walls.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Flags-In, which first took place in 1948, when the Old Guard was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit. It is an honor and a privilege for service members to conduct this special mission.

Please click this link for access to a b-roll package from today’s event and here for photos.

For more information about Memorial Day events at Arlington National Cemetery, please visit 

•   Flowers of Remembrance Day: Sunday, May 28

•   National Memorial Day Observance: Monday, May 29


About Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery represents the American people for past, present and future generations by laying to rest those few who have served our nation with dignity and honor, while immersing guests in the cemetery's living history. Founded in 1864, during the Civil War, these hallowed grounds are the final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their eligible family members. ANC has hosted the nation’s official Memorial Day observance since 1868.