Respect: Old Guard Honors Fallen With 'Flags In' Tradition -

-and-

The predawn mission, beginning at 4 a.m. despite cold, misty conditions, marked the official start of Memorial Day observances at the cemetery.

Source: Department of Defense
Photo: Courtesy

Nearly 1,500 soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” placed U.S. flags at over 260,000 headstones and niche columns across Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, for the 77th annual “Flags In” ceremony, May 22, 2025.

The predawn mission, beginning at 4 a.m. despite cold, misty conditions, marked the official start of Memorial Day observances at the cemetery. Soldiers meticulously positioned each flag one boot length from each marker, honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

“For those who gave everything in service to our country, this is our way of showing that they will never be forgotten,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Holmes, public affairs team leader for the “Old Guard,” which has placed flags at the cemetery since 1948.

^{Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) place U.S. flags at gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)}

Tomb sentinels also laid flags at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier as part of the observance.

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.

LOCAL NEWS

-and-

LOCAL SPORTS