History
GalleryArmy’s Old Guard honors thousands of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day
Stars and Stripes
May 21, 2026
The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, quietly honored the fallen on Thursday by planting about 250,000 miniature American flags at gravesites across Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Nearly 1,500 soldiers placed flags at each headstone and along every row in the columbarium courts and niche walls, honoring each individual laid to rest at the hallowed grounds. The historical tradition, known as “Flags In,” takes place annually and honors members of the U.S. armed forces for their service and sacrifice.
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, honors America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)