
The president and first lady paid an unannounced visit Thursday to Arlington National Cemetery, making the traditional Memorial Day appearance four days early because they will be in Japan on Monday's holiday.

Donald and Melania Trump took turns planting small U.S. flags in front of a row of headstones, assisted by a quartet of servicemen in fatigues from the Third Infantry 'Old Guard' unit that conducts ceremonies at Arlington.

They spent their time in Section 34 of the cemetery, where visitors can see the grave site of General John Joseph 'Black Jack' Pershing, who commanded American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front in World War I.

Frank Buckles, the last veteran of that war to die, is buried in the same section.

Presidents traditionally lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day. The first couple spent less than a quarter-hour at the cemetery, which averages nearly 30 funerals each weekday and between six and eight every Saturday.

Tribute to the fallen: Donald and Melania Trump took part in the annual flags-in ceremony because they will be in Japan for Memorial Day

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump helped plant U.S. flags during the 'Flags In' ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday

Presidents usually lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknowns on the annual Memorial Day holiday, but the first family will be in Japan on Monday for a state visit

Fallen: The first couple spent their time in Section 34 of the cemetery, where visitors can see the grave site of General John Joseph 'Black Jack' Pershing, who commanded American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front in World War I

Participation: The flags-in ceremony is conducted by members of the the Third Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, ahead of memorial day, this year with the president and first lady taking part

Inspection: The first couple were present with a contingent of other military personnel were also participating in the annual 'Flags In' event, which begins the Thursday before Memorial Day each year

But they weren't alone: A contingent of other military personnel were also participating in the annual 'Flags In' event, which begins the Thursday before Memorial Day each year.

Over the course of about four hours more than 260,000 flags found their places Thursday at the resting places of America's honored dead.

The operation included 228,000 individual Arlington headstones and 7,000 rows of 'niches.' Army chaplains placed flags in front of the cemetery's memorials and the headstones located on Chaplain's Hill.

Sentinels also put flags at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Another 14,000 flags were planted at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in nearby Washington.

'Niche' grave sites are concrete crypts that are stacked as many as six-high, a recent addition meant to prolong the date when Arlington will run out of room. That's currently expected to happen in less than 25 years.

The Flags In ceremony has taken place annually since 1948, guaranteeing a flag at each burial place at least once per year.

Every available soldier from the Old Guard participates in the operation. This year more than 1,000 took part.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Thursday that the president will hold a Memorial Day event in Tokyo on Monday but wanted to visit Arlington as well.

Donald and Melania Trump took turns planting small U.S. flags in front of a row of headstones, assisted by a quartet of servicemen in fatigues from the Third Infantry 'Old Guard' unit that conducts ceremonies at Arlington

The first couple spent less than a quarter-hour at the cemetery, which averages nearly 30 funerals each weekday and between six and eight every Saturday

Taking part: Donald and Melania Trump took turns planting small U.S. flags in front of a row of headstones, assisted by a quartet of servicemen in fatigues from the Third Infantry 'Old Guard' unit that conducts ceremonies at Arlington

Ready for Memorial Day: A small American flag is placed in front of each of the 220,000 headstones in Arlington National Cemetery

A flag for every grave: Each headstone and niche in the National Cemetery is given a small flag in preparation for Memorial Day

Equal in honor: The massive effort to give each gravestone a flag for Memorial Day is carried out by members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, who are in normal fatigues for the work. On Monday they will be seen in full uniform

Massive effort: Members of the Old Guard arrive equipped to take part in the flags in ceremony

Consistency: By the time the Old Guard members are finished their work, each grave will have a flag

Respect for all: Every available soldier from the Old Guard participates in the operation. This year more than 1,000 took part

Guard who honor: The 3rd Infantry Regiment take part in each burial at the National Cemetery

Built to last: The flags put on every gravestone

Trump has made veterans' care a central issue in his presidency, speaking often about how the twin epidemics of opioid addiction and suicide touch former active duty servicemen and women.

In the coming days he is expected to make decisions about whether to increase America's military footprint in the Middle East, in response to growing threats from Iran.

The large flags in Arlington National Cemetery are flown at half-staff from a half hour before the first funeral until a half hour after the last funeral each day.

The smaller flags placed at grave sites will be removed before the public is allowed to visit Arlington on Tuesday morning after the holiday.