Flags In

It is my sincere hope that you took at least a few minutes today to remember why you didn't have to go to work this morning. I'm not going to make a big speech. All I ask is that you take a second or two to reflect on all of the people over the years who have given their lives for you, your family, me, my family, and every other person in America.

From the site of Arlington National Cemetery, here's a piece of history and tradition about "Flags-In" performed by the Old Guard.

I know it sounds trite, but thanks to the fallen and their families, and thanks to you too if you took a moment today between the burgers and beers to remember the reason why today is very special.

My day was made particularly memorable at about 10:00 this morning by a pair of F/A-18 Hornets which shook the ground as they passed over my house in central Massachusetts at about 3,000 feet. I don't know from where they came nor where they were going, but I was proud to surmise they were on their way to make a fly-over somewhere where thousands of people were gathered.

Below is a description of the service provided by the Old Guard. Here's a link to an outstanding piece of photojournalism covering the 2009 work.

Each year for the past 40 years, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) has honored America's fallen heroes by placing American flags before the gravestones and niches of service members buried at both Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery just prior to Memorial Day weekend.

This tradition, known as "flags in," has been conducted annually since The Old Guard was designated as the Army's official ceremonial unit in 1948. Every available soldier in the 3rd U.S. Infantry participates, placing small American flags one foot in front and centered before each grave marker.

During an approximately three-hour period, the soldiers place flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones and about 7,300 niches at the cemetery's columbarium. Another 13,500 flags are placed at the Soldier's and Airmen's Cemetery. As part of this yearly memorial activity, Old Guard soldiers remain in the cemetery throughout the weekend, ensuring that a flag remains at each gravestone.

American flags are also placed at the graves of each of the four unknown service men interred at the Tomb of the Unknowns, by the Tomb Sentinels. All flags are removed after Memorial Day before each cemetery is opened to the public.

A US soldier sat at a grave in Section 60, where many of those who died while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, of Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.(Getty Images Photo / Brendan Smialowski)