Place A Flower At The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier For Memorial Day

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington National Cemetery encourages members of the public who wish to honor the memory of military personnel who lost their lives in the defense of the United States to take part in the third annual Flowers of Remembrance Day this Memorial Day weekend.

"This special opportunity for visitors to walk across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier plaza and place a flower demonstrates the respect for service and sacrifice held by our grateful nation," said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Army National Military Cemeteries and Office of Army Cemeteries. "These floral tributes are timeless symbols to honor the fallen on our most hallowed grounds."

Flowers of Remembrance Day takes place Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Arlington National Cemetery. Flowers will be provided, so participants do not need to bring their own flowers.

ANC historians will offer a public program at 10 a.m. in the outdoor bowl of Memorial Amphitheater, discussing the history of Decoration Day/Memorial Day and its connection to Flowers of Remembrance Day.

“Every day at Arlington National Cemetery is a perpetual tribute to the spirit of Memorial Day,” said Charles “Ray” Alexander Jr., superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. “This day offers our visitors the rare opening of the Tomb of the Unknown plaza to reflect on the valor and sacrifice that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents.”

Following the presentation, ANC historians will lead an optional walking tour of the James Tanner Amphitheater, the Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns and other cemetery locations related to the official Decoration Day commemoration.

Additional flowers will be available on Sunday for members of the public who wish to lay a flowers on headstones throughout the cemetery.

Registration is not required, but the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation encourages participants to indicate online their interest in laying a flower during their visit to the cemetery.