President Trump and first lady Melania Trump made an unscheduled visit to Arlington National Cemetery Thursday to pay their respects to the fallen ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
The Trumps planted U.S. flags at several graves in Section 34 of the cemetery, which includes the final resting places of Gen. John J. Pershing and Frank Buckles, who was the last living World War I veteran.
The first couple will be in Japan on an official visit this weekend, causing them to miss the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington on Monday. They will also hold a Memorial Day event in Japan.
Starting on the Thursday before Memorial Day, more than 260,000 flags are planted at Arlington in an event known as “Flags In,” according to the director of operations at Arlington Cemetery.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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