U.S. Department of Defense

"Flags In" Tribute at Arlington National Cemetery

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," march to an assembly point to receive further instructions during the "Flags In" tribute to honor fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. More than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration by placing 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Sandra Quaschnick, right, and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Bailey, left, render salutes during the "Flags In" ceremony to honor fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. Quaschnick and Bailey are assigned to the the Fife and Drum Corps of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Bailey declared holds bundles of flags to be placed on graves during the "Flags In" tribute honoring fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. Bailey is assigned to the the Fife and Drum Corps of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."

U.S. Army Soldiers place flags in front of head stones during the "Flags In" tribute honoring fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008.
The soldiers are assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Andres Yanez, right, along with a fellow sailor, renders a salute during the "Flags In" tribute honoring fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. Yanez, who regularly supervises funeral details at the cemetery, said it is an honor to participate in the tribute.

U.S. Navy sailors render salutes to the flag flown at half mast during the "Flags In" tribute to honor fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. The sailors are assigned to the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

U.S. Marines place flags in the center of Arlington National Cemetery's columbarium during the "Flags In" tribute to honor America's fallen heroes, May 22, 2008. The Marines, who recently returned from Iraq, are assigned to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.

U.S. Marine Sgt. David Gray places flags in the center of Arlington National Cemetery's columbarium during the "Flags In" Tribute to honor America's fallen heroes, May 22, 2008. Gary, who recently returned from Iraq, is assigned to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. “It’s a privilege to be alive and able to support those Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country,” he said.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Kuhne places the first flag in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns during the "Flags In" tribute at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. Kuhne is the commander of the relief for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Kuhne renders a salute after placing the final flag in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns during the "Flags In" tribute at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. Kuhne is the commander of the relief for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," march to an assembly point to receive further instructions during the "Flags In" tribute to honor fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2008. More than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration by placing 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery.
Defense Dept. photo by Sebastian J. Sciotti Jr.