The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world, understood in every culture. The floral tributes at funerals bespeak both the beauty and the brevity of life and evoke memories of other days. These sorts of offerings are made each day at Arlington National Cemetery, at the dozens of funerals occurring there and in solitary communion with a departed loved one.

More formal ceremonies involve the laying of a wreath and the attendance of others at this ritual. These, too, are held with frequency at Arlington. You may have the opportunity to observe such a ceremony during your visit to Arlington. You even might be taking part in one.

The most solemn and august of these occur on state occasions where the president or his designee lays a wreath to mark the national observance of Veterans Day, Memorial Day or some other, special occasion. As a general rule these take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, attended by ceremonial units from the uniformed services.

Also marked by a high degree of ritual and joint service participation are wreath layings that occur during state visits. A visiting head of state will pay formal respects to the sacrifice of America's veterans in foreign wars by placing a wreath before the Tomb. Similarly, other foreign ministers may also include a wreath laying here as part of their official itineraries.

Include wreath layings by various other public figures and organizations -- at the Tomb or at the scores of other memorial locations throughout the cemetery -- and the number expands significantly, although most are not marked with the same ceremonial pomp of the state events.

These might be annual observances by veterans groups whose unit has dedicated a tree and plaque along one of the lanes that winds through the cemetery or an organization like No Greater Love, which has made certain that the victims of terrorist acts or other mass casualties are not forgotten. They can also be special events, such as at the dedication of a marker or the centennial or other major anniversary of a battle. And they might take place at such locations as the John F. Kennedy Grave, the Confederate Memorial, or the Memorial Amphitheater.

The opportunity for the public to take part in wreath-laying or other memorial services has actually been made a part of federal law, embraced in Title 32 U.S. Code of Federal Regulation Section 553.22.

Requests by members of the public to conduct memorial services should be in writing, mailed to the Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. 22211. The requester needs to detail extensively the proposed service, as spelled out in the regulation, that it is nonpartisan in nature, be conducted in a dignified and proper manner and in keeping with the regulation.

A simpler avenue exists for school and civic organizations coming to Washington, D.C., that wish to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. All that is required is that a representative of the requesting organization write to the Director, Ceremonies and Special Events, U.S. Army Military District of Washington, 103 3rd Avenue, Fort Lesley J. McNair, D.C., 20319-5058 on organizational letterhead. The sender should indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is a "wreath-laying request." The letter should indicate when the group is visiting, its schedule limitations, and complete contact information. A representative of MDW will thereafter call to make further arrangements and provide further instructions should the date appear open.

While dozens of such ceremonies are arranged each week, it is possible that an official event could arise that would take precedence.

At all ceremonial events, the public is reminded to conduct themselves with dignity and respect in manner and dress and to follow all instructions of the Tomb Guards, or other representatives of the superintendent of the cemetery or the commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.

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