In Pictures: US servicemen honoured at start of Memorial Day weekend

US Army soldiers placed small US flags at more than 230,000 headstones in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday. Known as Flags In, this tradition has been carried out annually since 1948. It also marks the start of the Memorial Day weekend activities. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday each May and honours the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the US military. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 30, 2016.

Updated

Published

May 27, 2016, 10:30 AM

Soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, place American flags in front of headstones during the Flags In ceremony for Memorial Day, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, US, May 26, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

A soldier places American flags at graves in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia, in preparation for Memorial Day. PHOTO: AFP

Members of the US Army on their way to place American flags at graves in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia, in preparation for Memorial Day. PHOTO: AFP

American flags placed by soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, during the Flags In ceremony for Memorial Day, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, US, on May 26, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

A tour bus passes by as Specialist Jose Barreiro, of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, places a flag at a grave site during the Flags In ceremony May 26, 2016, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. PHOTO: AFP

A soldier places American flags at graves in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia, in preparation for Memorial Day. PHOTO: AFP

Members of the US Army stock up on American flags before placing them at graves in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia, in preparation for Memorial Day. PHOTO: AFP

Members of the US Army stock up on American flags before placing them at graves in Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia, in preparation for Memorial Day. PHOTO: AFP

Soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, march with American flags to be placed at every headstone during the Flags In ceremony for Memorial Day, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, US, May 26, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.