Lincoln Tomb Flag Lowering Ceremony has become an international affair

SPRINGFIELD - The simple act of lowering the United States flag every Tuesday summer evening at Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site has drawn a nationwide and international following.

"So far this summer visitors from 10 foreign countries and 48 states have watched as a Civil War honor guard lowers the flag that has flown that day over Lincoln Tomb," said site manager Nan Wynn. "It is an emotional, inspiring ceremony that has just gotten more popular than ever this year."

The flag lowering and retreat ceremony, held every Tuesday night during the summer at Lincoln Tomb, takes place from 7 to 7:25 p.m., and the Tomb will be open for visitors after the ceremony until 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Each week, one lucky visitor is presented with the flag that is lowered during the ceremony. The 114th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Reactivated) has performed the ceremony for the past 28 years.

An average of more than 400 people have attended each of the ceremonies this summer, coming from England, Mexico, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Thailand, Guatemala, Peru, Paraguay, Australia, and 48 of the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico.

The flag lowering and retreat ceremony continues July 29 and August 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is located in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery.