# What would happen if a tourist (or worse) got disrespectful at the Tomb of the Unknowns (Arlington)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 9, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363 "2011-11-09T04:37:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/21 "2011-11-10T21:25:58Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > You would be lucky if the guard broke character. It’s his character to shoot you if his post is challenged. :eek: [No kidding](http://www.tombguard.org/general.html) – it’s part of the Tomb Guard’s mission: > [@](#): > > Prevent any desecration or disrespect directed toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. So great job to the Sentinel for acting as he did. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/22 "2011-11-10T21:36:36Z")
I was supporting a parade once, dressed in a combat uniform while my buddies were marching around in DEUs. I had to chase (well, politely direct) some bratty (well, wayward) kids away from the marchers. Wish _I’d_ had a rifle… ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/23 "2011-11-10T22:08:41Z")
What kind of asshat would laught at a place like that? ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/24 "2011-11-11T00:10:18Z")
The times I have watched the changing of the guard it was obvious that there were a number of out of uniform guards mingling with the crowd. My guess is they are there just for the purpose of backing up the guards actually on duty. How often they actually have to do much is anyone’s guess. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/25 "2011-11-11T02:00:27Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > My thughts toward them would be Don’t. Just don’t. > My (extrememly older brother, practically decrepet) and I were standing in an old graveyard. A Navy flyer flew over and he (an Air Force veteren) said to me, “Do you know what that is?” > And I said, “I dunno. What.” > And he said, “That’s the sound of freedom.” Cool story bro. When I was 9 my older brother put a pillow over my face, sat on it and farted. He said to me “Do you know what that is?” And I said, “I dunno. What.” And he said, “That’s the smell of freedom.” To this day, I still think about the truth in his words, and it brings a tear to my eye as I think of all the unknown bigger brothers who had the courage to fart in the faces of their younger siblings in the name of freedom. > [@Becky2844](#): > > Do we know how many nameless, unimportant people it took to win every war? Or lose every war? Or don’t those people count? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/26 "2011-11-11T02:27:31Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Or lose every war? Or don’t those people count? Or the folks who helped prevent wars? They don’t even warrant a mention. ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/27 "2011-11-11T03:51:51Z")
some countries are far more progressive. the daily change of the guard at a certain road junction separating india and pakistan is always a cause for excitement, crowd gathering, and general tourist fuzziness. and the guards really dress up for it. [![](https://njisacf.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/wagah.jpg?w=320&h=389) ](https://njisacf.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/wagah.jpg?w=320&h=389) ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/28 "2011-11-11T05:10:31Z")
Some people in this thread seem to be implying that it would be acceptable or even desirable for a guard to shoot a persistently disrespectful tourist, or attack them with his bayonet. Given that America has not yet descended to the level of a police state or military dictatorship, I am sure that any guard who perpetrated any sort of violence on such a tourist (or anyone else short of an armed terrorist intent on mayhem) would immediately be court martialed, and rightly so. I am sure the guards know this, too. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/29 "2011-11-11T06:09:58Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > What kind of asshat would laught at a place like that? Someone who was suddenly struck with the thought of something funny? Happening, in a moment of loss of control, to laugh in that particular physical area doesn’t necessarily mean taking glee in the deaths of soldiers, or whatever motives you are assigning to it. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/30 "2011-11-11T06:26:59Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Some people in this thread seem to be implying that it would be acceptable or even desirable for a guard to shoot a persistently disrespectful tourist, or attack them with his bayonet. Wait, haven’t we been fighting the Tourists for the last ten years? Lame joke, I’ll freely admit. I’m guessing there is the ever-so-subtle difference between one or two people laughing at something they think of at an inopportune moment, and a whole gaggle of people joking and laughing like they’re at 7-11. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/31 "2011-11-11T06:43:34Z")
Damn tourists. Of course, if you’re in the Air Force and find yourselves with bits of unknown soldiers, it’s perfectly fine to be disrespectful. WaPost: [Remains of war dead dumped in landfill](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/remains-of-war-dead-dumped-in-landfill/2011/11/09/gIQAz7dM6M_story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/32 "2011-11-11T07:26:22Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Cool story bro. When I was 9 my older brother put a pillow over my face, sat on it and farted. He said to me “Do you know what that is?” > And I said, “I dunno. What.” > And he said, “That’s the smell of freedom.” > > To this day, I still think about the truth in his words, and it brings a tear to my eye as I think of all the unknown bigger brothers who had the courage to fart in the faces of their younger siblings in the name of freedom. > > Or lose every war? Or don’t those people count? My first thought was, “How old are you?” I come from a military family. Three uncles, an aunt, a brother and my husband. And I was at the March on Washington in 1969 to protest the Vietnam War. Because I could. The only war I know of that we lost. (I could be wrong.) And God yes, they counted. These recent wars…I can’t march anymore. It’s up to the next generation to make their voices heard. I’m as cynical as the next guy, Bro. But I respect what others have done for me. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/33 "2011-11-11T08:05:06Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > My first thought was, “How old are you?” > I come from a military family. Three uncles, an aunt, a brother and my husband. > And I was at the March on Washington in 1969 to protest the Vietnam War. > Because I could. > The only war I know of that we lost. (I could be wrong.) And God yes, they counted. > These recent wars…I can’t march anymore. It’s up to the next generation to make their voices heard. > > I’m as cynical as the next guy, Bro. But I respect what others have done for me. Thank you, Ma’am, and on this Veteran’s Day, I thank your Family. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/34 "2011-11-12T00:25:41Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Thank you, Ma’am, and on this Veteran’s Day, I thank your Family. > > SFC Schwartz After finding out who you are—or at least, what you do—I just want to say: Thank YOU, sir! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/35 "2011-11-12T02:27:22Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > What’s worse than a tourist? 🙂 Two tourists. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/36 "2011-11-12T02:32:54Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > [There are a number of YouTube videos the show how the guards respond to noisy crowds, people crossing the barrier and folks sitting during the ceremony.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns#Sentinel_Challenges) > [The guns they carry are real but not loaded.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns#Weapons) > > I don’t know what happens when spectators fail to comply but it probably isn’t pretty. > > Here is a [FAQ](http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html). It seems that in all of those clips, once the guard confronted the people who were not following protocol, they immediately were intimidated (as would I be!) and fell into line. But like the OP, I wonder what would happen if one of those yahoos told the guard to go fuck himself and continue to laugh, remain seated, cross the fence to take pictures, walk on the plaza, etc. Would the guard follow up with his threat? ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/37 "2011-11-12T02:47:55Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > But like the OP, I wonder what would happen if one of those yahoos told the guard to go fuck himself and continue to laugh, remain seated, cross the fence to take pictures, walk on the plaza, etc. Would the guard follow up with his threat? Maybe I’m naive, but I suspect that kind of yahoo doesn’t go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. That said I realize you are posing a hypothetical question. It seems curious that there are no records of something like that happening. Maybe the internet doesn’t know all. \ ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/38 "2011-11-13T13:59:49Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > It seems that in all of those clips, once the guard confronted the people who were not following protocol, they immediately were intimidated (as would I be!) and fell into line. > > But like the OP, I wonder what would happen if one of those yahoos told the guard to go fuck himself and continue to laugh, remain seated, cross the fence to take pictures, walk on the plaza, etc. Would the guard follow up with his threat? I have to assume that they’d pause the ceremony and the unruly spectators would be swiftly escorted from the cemetery by uniformed guards (not the ceremonial guards). Local police would probably be waiting outside if the tourists were sufficiently unruly. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/39 "2011-11-13T14:22:41Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > It seems that in all of those clips, once the guard confronted the people who were not following protocol, they immediately were intimidated (as would I be!) and fell into line. > > But like the OP, I wonder what would happen if one of those yahoos told the guard to go fuck himself and continue to laugh, remain seated, cross the fence to take pictures, walk on the plaza, etc. Would the guard follow up with his threat? [Previous thread from 2007](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=419344). Googling around produces nothing concrete on the use of force. Most likely, the Army doesn’t want the limits known. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363/40 "2011-11-13T15:16:28Z")
In general (in similar venues), situations like to this are handled by arrest for “Disturbing the Peace”. A judge then dismisses the charges. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-tourist-or-worse-got-disrespectful-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-arlington/602363.md?page=3)