Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Day weekend is an exceptionally special time of year at Arlington National Cemetery, which hosted the first official, national "Decoration Day" commemoration in 1868. This tradition eventually became known as Memorial Day, now held on the last Monday of May.
Events to honor our nation's fallen service members will be held throughout the weekend. Click the tabs at left for details about each event.

Flags-In: Thursday, May 22
• The 3d Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, will place American flags at the base of more than 260,000 headstones and more than 7,000 columbarium niche rows in the cemetery, as well as at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tradition has taken place every year since The Old Guard's establishment as the Army's official ceremonial unit in 1948.
• Flags-In, which takes place prior to the cemetery's opening at 8 a.m., is not a public event. However, the public will have the opportunity to see flags at every gravesite and columbarium niche row throughout Memorial Day weekend.

Flowers of Remembrance Day: Sunday, May 25
• Members of the public will have the special opportunity to walk across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier plaza and place a flower at the Tomb. During this event, visitors may also place a flower at headstones or columbarium niches throughout the cemetery.
• Flowers will be provided by the the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation. Visitors do not need to bring their own flowers.
• At 10 a.m. in the outdoor bowl of Memorial Amphitheater, ANC historians will offer a public program on the history of Decoration Day/Memorial Day, this holiday’s importance to ANC and its connections to the Flowers of Remembrance Day event. After the 10 a.m. talk, they will lead a walking tour to Arlington House with stops at various locations related to the Army's 250th birthday. Registration is not required.

National Memorial Day Observance: Monday, May 26
• The 157th National Memorial Day Observance, recognizing and commemorating the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, will take place at 11 a.m. ANC's Memorial Amphitheater. This annual event is free and open to the public Seating in the amphitheater is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Scheduled events for the observance include: “The President’s Own,” the United States Marine Band, and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters performing a prelude in the amphitheater at 10:15 a.m.; a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier conducted by a joint service team; and the national observance inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. Attendance for the annual wreath-laying ceremony will be limited this year to official participants.
• Walking to and from the amphitheater is strictly prohibited. Those interested in attending the observance must use the tram from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. The tram will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m., or until capacity for the event is reached. Immediately following the ceremony, the tram will resume operations and begin returning attendees to the Welcome Center from the conclusion of the ceremony until 2 p.m.
• A livestream of the event will be available at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/36171.