Flags-In: Soldiers pay tribute to the falle

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) upheld the annual tradition of honoring former military men and women buried in Arlington National Cemetery May 26, a tradition known as Flags In.

"I think today is a great opportunity for us to be able to give back to Soldiers who have fallen for us," said. U.S. Army Spc. Jacob Ferguson.

Army Sgt. Brittany Sylvester-Rivera, who participated in the event for the first time, said she loved that she was participating in history.

More than a thousand Soldiers from The Old Guard, the oldest active duty infantry regiment in the Army, marched into Arlington National Cemetery carrying backpacks filled with miniature flags to place at more than 230,000 graves. The Old Guard also placed flags at each Columbarium, locations within the cemetery where cremated remains reside.

"It feels great," said Staff Sgt. Michael Deitz, a sixth generation service member. "It brings a lot of honor to me. My family wishes they could be here as well. We did the wreaths in ceremony and laid a wreath on every grave as well. It's all about honor."

Though an annual event, Soldiers do more than just place flags on graves of those who have gone before them.

Ferguson, who has participated in Flags-In multiple times, said he tries to personalize the experience by thinking about service members' individual sacrifices.

"I try to ask 'what did the Soldier do?" he said. "I want to know what war they were in and how that war impacted my life."

Cpl. Jacquelynn Brown said she reads the grave stones of those she places the flags over.

"I just go through reading the graves," said Brown. "I feel a closeness, somewhat of a brotherhood to them. It makes your heart heavy when you see their ages, their rank, how they died and how some of the graves are marked 'unknown.' It kind of makes you think."

Brown said that her sister and brother served in the military. She said her sister was a part of The Old Guard at Fort Myer for about three years.

"She was able to do a few Flags-In and a few of the ceremonies that The Old Guard does," explained Brown.

Brown said coming to Fort Myer and being able to participate in the Flags-In is a dream come true.

"Before I even joined that was one of the first things I told my recruiter, that I wanted to come to The Old Guard," said Brown. "It took me four years to get here; so I am finally here laying a flag."