Flags In

Quite a feat these soldiers perform every Memorial day, the placement of over 250,000 flags in Arlingtom Cometary each year and then their subsequent removal. Thanks go out to them for performing this ritual year after year in remembrance of the fallen heroes who defended the country and do so today.

It's them we salute and pray for along with those in harms way today.

Old Guard Sets 'Flags-In' for Memorial Day:

"FORT MYER, Va. (Army News Service, May 23, 2008) -- The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) began their rounds Thursday afternoon to place a small American flag into the ground in front of every grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Old Guard became the Army's official ceremonial unit in 1948 and on that Memorial Day every available member of the regiment stood one foot in front of a grave marker at the cemetery, bent over and placed a flag. The Soldiers continued on their rounds around the cemetery until every marker and niche had a flag.

Today there are more than 280,000 graves and the Old Guard troops continue the practice each year at Arlington and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Cemetery.

Trucks full of wooden crates containing tens of thousands of flags arrived at the Selfridge Gate, Fort Myer, around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The Soldiers took turns filling their rucksacks with bundles of old glory.

The veteran troops yearn for wet ground. It can be tough on the hands pushing a sharpened stake into the hard ground repeatedly. Most wear gloves, but some smart Soldiers use a plastic bottle cap in their palms to prevent wear and tear on the hands." continued here

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