Soldiers place flags at more than 260,000 headstones at Arlington Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day

Record ID: 1821482

  • Title: Soldiers place flags at more than 260,000 headstones at Arlington Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day
  • Date: 23rd May 2024
  • Summary: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (MAY 23, 2024) (REUTERS) U.S. FLAGS PILED IN BED OF TRUCK SOLDIERS CARRYING U.S. FLAGS TO PLACE NEAR HEADSTONES HEADSTONES FOR FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS PLACING FLAGS NEAR HEADSTONES SOLDIER GRABBING FLAGS FROM BACKPACK OF ANOTHER SOLDIER VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS' FLAGS NEAR TOMBSTONES U.S. ARMY STAFF SERGEANT ALEXA GORDON CAR
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2024 21:04
  • Keywords: Arlington Cemetery Memorial Day Richard Dick Marcinko Seal Team 6 flag soldier war
  • Location: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001509423052024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nearly 1,600 military personnel could be seen placing small flags near the headstones of thousands of fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington D.C., on Thursday (May 23) ahead of the U.S. Memorial Day Holiday.
    The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) handles ceremonial responsibilities at Arlington which is home to war heroes including the Seal Team 6 Commander and founder Richard “Dick” Marcinko, Audie Murphy, and Walter Reed. Former President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis are also buried there.
    Army Staff Sergeant Anderson, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, said he felt compelled to participate in the annual tradition because of a fallen colleague.
    “This day means a lot --- to recognize him, to give him his respect,” Anderson said.
    Over four hours, small U.S. flags will be placed in front of more than 260,000 headstones and will remain there through Memorial Day (May 27).
    (Production: Deborah Gembara)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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