Cemetery Flags and the History of Arlington National Cemetery
156 years ago the first military burial took place at Arlington Estate, which would eventually become Arlington National Cemetery. Private William Christman was laid to rest there on land that once belonged to George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson of President George Washington.
Custis inherited the 1,100-acre plantation from his father at the age of 21 in 1802, and left the property to his daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, wife of Robert E. Lee, when he passed away. The Lees abandoned the property at the onset of the Civil War in 1861, at which time the U.S. Army took control and used the land and house as a camp and headquarters.
After three years of war, Washington, D.C. cemeteries reached their burial capacity with fallen soldiers. That’s when the federal government designated Arlington as a national military cemetery, on June 15, 1864.
The first official Decoration Day, now recognized as Memorial Day, was held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, establishing it as the foremost national military cemetery. On that day, visitors to the cemetery placed flowers and flags on the graves of the soldiers.
Today, approximately 400,000 veterans and their eligible dependents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and the tradition of placing flags on each gravesite of fallen service men and women continues annually, during an event known as Flags In.
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, referred to as the Old Guard, the Army’s official ceremonial unit, inserts an American flag exactly one booth length from the base of the headstone of every service member buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
To honor your loved ones, or others who have served our country, there may be no better symbolic gesture than to place an American flag at their final resting place. Whether they are buried at Arlington National Cemetery or a private or public cemetery; whether it is on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or any other day, displaying flags at gravesites of our service men and women celebrates their patriotism, selflessness, and bravery.
- When you do place flags in a cemetery, especially on significant holidays, here are some tips.
- Be mindful of the policies of individual cemeteries, and always coordinate with a cemetery’s director or caretaker ahead of time as multiple groups may be participating.
- Place flags at gravesites in accordance with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration: uniformly, usually one foot, centered and in front of the headstone or marker.
- Secure flags in a flag-lined walkway in an in-ground receptacle.
- Follow traditional flag etiquette by never letting flags touch the ground, make sure flags are in excellent condition, and when removing flags, inspect them for wear and tear and store properly to preserve them.
U.S. Flag Maker offers American stick flags of all sizes, and our unique FlyRite ground base is perfect for graveside placement. You simply insert the FlyRite into the soil and step on it. Then, insert your stick flag into the base and you have a uniform, straight flag. Purchase your FlyRite ground base today.