ARLINGTON, Va. — Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” have placed U.S. flags at headstones in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery.

This was the 76th anniversary of “Flags In.” During the event, 1,500 service members placed more than 260,000 flags at every gravesite and niche column at the cemetery.

The tradition has taken place since the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit in 1948. Each flag is inserted into the ground, exactly one boot length from the headstone’s base.

The flags are removed after Memorial Day, before the cemetery opens to the public Tuesday.