Memorial Day

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The tomb, in Arlington National Cemetery, honors those who died in war and were never identified.

Joseph Sohm/Visions of America/Corbis

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Memorial Day Rolling Thunder

Every Memorial Day, bikers enter Washington, D.C. to honor veterans, POWs and MIAs.

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The U.S. Army Trumpet Ensemble performs “Mansions of the Lord” in ArlingtonNatl to honor the men and women of the U.S. military who sacrificed their lives in service to their country & the cause of freedom.

Video by @theusarmyband

#HonorThem #MemorialDay

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Honor Them

More than 1,000 The Old Guard Soldiers place 250,000 U.S. flags at ArlingtonNatl. For more than 50 years, this tradition known as Flags-In occurs just prior to #MemorialDay to honor our nation’s fallen military heroes. by Elizabeth Fraser

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Vietnam Veterans War Memorial

Located in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (also known as the Vietnam Wall) honors American soldiers who died in the Vietnam War.

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Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at Bagram Airbase

U.S. soldiers hold their rifles in silence during a Memorial Day observance ceremony in Afghanistan.

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Rows of American Flags

In cemeteries around America, flags are placed at the graves of veterans.

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Iwo Jima War Memorial

The Memorial commemorates the moment when American marines placed an American flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

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Memorial Day Ceremonies

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars salute during Memorial Day ceremonies at the Arlington National Cemetery.

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American War Cemetery in Italy

Many veterans are buried abroad, near where they died during battle. Pictured is an American cemetery in Impruneta, Italy.

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Civil War Reenactors

To show their support, on Memorial Day, many take part in battle reenactments. Here, Civil War reenactors in Indiana stand quietly with their hands on their hearts.

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Taps

The dead are honored on Memorial Day with the playing of "Taps" on horn.

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Half-Staff

On Memorial Day, flags around the Washington Monument fly at half staff.

Mike Theiler / epa / Corbis

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Flag-In at Arlington

A U.S. Army soldier places an American flag at Arlington National Cemetery. Troops place an American flag at each of the more than 220,000 graves at the cemetery for every Memorial Day.

Mike Theiler / epa / Corbis

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Memorial Day Birthplace

The village of Waterloo, New York first celebrated Memorial Day in 1866.

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Paying Respects

A woman places flowers on the gravesite of a soldier killed in action in the Iraq War at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mike Theiler / epa / Corbis

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Air Force Salute

Members of the U.S. Air Force practice a rifle salute prior to Memorial Day ceremonies at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Mike Theiler / epa / Corbis