Be a part of a Memorial Day tradition at Biloxi National Cemetery

Thousands of volunteers – individuals, veterans, families, young and old – will show up at the Biloxi National Cemetery Saturday morning to place small U.S. flags on the graves of those buried in the cemetery.

This annual event is expected to begin around 8 a.m. but volunteers are asked to arrive early. And know this: The flag placement will be completed in less than a half hour. 

Veterans Administration officials say traffic gets heavy around the Pass Road entrance each year before this event so volunteers are asked to arrive between 7 and 7:30 in the morning.

Volunteers are asked to park in the VA medical center parking lot and will be briefed prior to placing the more than 23,000 flags.

A Memorial Day ceremony is set for Monday at 9 a.m. at the flagpole on the Biloxi National Cemetery property, which is at 400 Veterans Ave. The ceremony will include an honor guard presenting the colors and a lineup of speakers.

While it normally takes about 30 minutes to place the 23,000 flags, collecting the banners is not as quick. Volunteers are encouraged to assist with picking up the flags on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.

City Desk encore: You can hear firsthand information about the Biloxi National Cemetery, its past and future, from Director Celethia Reed, who appeared last month on the City Desk podcast. To listen to the program, click here

Details: For more informational about the Memorial Day events, contact the Biloxi National Cemetery at 288-388-6668.