I spent most of 2005 in Washington, D.C., working at NASA HQ. While there I naturally took advantage of the chance to visit many of the iconic sites around the nation’s capital and, in late May, several days before the Memorial Day holiday, I went to Arlington National Cemetery. Turns out it was the day they placed flags at each and every grave. Sadly, there are a lot of graves. It was quite a moving experience.

They had a lot of flags to deploy. Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

They had a lot of flags to deploy.
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

They had a process, place foot against marker, push flag in against heel. Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

They had a process, place foot against marker, push flag in against heel.
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

There were a lot of soldiers working at this on a very hot day. Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

There were a lot of soldiers working at this on a very hot day.
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Tomb Of The Unknowns Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Tomb Of The Unknowns
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Tomb Of The Unknowns Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Tomb Of The Unknowns
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Challenger Memorial Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Columbia Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Challenger Memorial Could this look any worse? Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05

Challenger Memorial
Could this look any worse?
Arlington National Cemetery, 5/26/05