
In the early morning dawn on May 21, 2026, soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) marched into Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), their rucksacks packed with small American flags. Their mission: To honor America’s fallen heroes by placing a flag in front of each headstone and columbarium column — approximately 250,000 at ANC and 13,500 at the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. This tradition, known as “Flags In,” takes place annually at both cemeteries on the Thursday before Memorial Day.