Bridget Reed Morawski
WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Some people go to the mountains for the long holiday weekend, while others set sail for the beach.
Others choose to honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to their country.
Every year at Arlington National Ceremony the 39th US Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, places flags at 230,000 gravestones and 200,000 columbarium markers to recognize the sacrifice of their comrades.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan J. Morgan is one of the many soliders who will participate in Thursday’s ceremony. He’s a member of the Old Guard assigned at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in in Fort Myer, VA., as well as the 4th Battalion Commander.
“As a servicemember, it’s very important, as it’s some of our nation’s most hallowed ground,” said LTC Morgan. “But personally, I have classmates and comrades who are buried here, and its a way to connect in with them and remember them and the sacrifice that they made.”
“It’s one of those very special times for a soldier to be able to go and make this connection.”
The approximately four hour ceremony will begin at 1pm on Thursday, where the entire regiment will begin placing the flags, one by one, across the cemetery. Between 1200 and 1500 men and women in uniform will participate in the flag laying.
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