© Jemal Countess/Redux
A mourner, believed to be Air Force Reserve Captain Teresa Dutcher, lies at the grave of Corporal Michael Avery Pursel at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. She visited the cemetery at the conclusion of the “Flags In” event on May 24, 2012. “Flags In” is a 40-year a tradition conducted just before Memorial Day weekend by the 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Army’s ceremonial unit. Every available 3rd U.S. Infantry soldier participates, placing a small American flag before each of the cemetery’s 260,000 grave markers over a three-hour period.
Corporal Michael Avery Pursel was the son of Air Force Reserve Captain Teresa Dutcher.