Photos: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Opens Plaza to Public for Historic Flower Ceremony
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Arlington National Cemetery held a flower ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor its centennial, marking the first time in nearly 100 years that the public was welcomed onto the plaza.
Members of the public can continue to visit the tomb's plaza on Wednesday to pay respects.
Representatives from the Crow Nation, dressed in brightly colored traditional clothing, were the first to place flowers near the tomb.
A steady line of people, including children and military members and scouts in uniform, solemnly paid respects. They paused at the top of the hour when the Old Guard carried out abbreviated changing of the guard ceremonies.
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People pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near it’s 100 year anniversary at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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People pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near it’s 100 year anniversary at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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People pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near it’s 100 year anniversary at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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People pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near it’s 100 year anniversary at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Members of the Crow Nation prepare to place flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Alex Brandon / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, VA – NOVEMBER 9: Soldiers with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” move flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 9, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza during the 100th anniversary of the Tomb. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
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A nun prays after placing flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Alex Brandon / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, VA – NOVEMBER 9: People walk to place flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 9, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza during the 100th anniversary of the Tomb. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, VA – NOVEMBER 9: People walk to place flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 9, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza during the 100th anniversary of the Tomb. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, VA – NOVEMBER 9: A U.S. Air Force officer pauses after placing flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 9, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza during the 100th anniversary of the Tomb. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)
