Remembering our Military on Memorial Day

In Honor of Those Who Gave Their Lives

In Our Nation's Service

We Thank YOU!

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God" is the inscription on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Day is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, and then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset. Proper flag etiquette calls for the flag to be first briskly run up to the top of the staff before being lowered slowly to the half-staff position. The idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war can be attributed to Georgia native Moina Michael. She conceived of the idea in 1915 after being inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields." Her work led to the VFW's Buddy Poppy Program.

Information and photos from the Arlington Memorial Website