It takes willful intent to miss the rules of behavior at Arlington National Cemetery. From nearly the point one steps off the Metro line, there are signs everywhere advising quiet and respect -- advice that should be little needed in any cemetery, really. And the closer one gets to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the more intense the warnings grow.
■ Under no circumstances should any self-respecting adult need to be reprimanded by a guard for disturbing the atmosphere with chuckling selfies. For the Secretary of Defense to earn that kind of reproach on Veterans’ Day is most extraordinary.
■ Obviously, the sentinel who issued the reprimand knew who was on the receiving end. That did not, and should not, make any difference. The point of the place is to elevate the dignity of the war dead above all the living present. Some things are sacred and remain that way only by the active consent and participation of everyone present.
■ In trying to make up for the embarrassing incident, the Secretary has awarded a medal to the soldier. It makes for a fine photo opportunity, but it also only further violates protocols. It looks like an attempt to co-opt the valor of the guard, and worse, the subtext says, “By doing your job faithfully in my presence, you did something exceptionally brave.”
■ Proper contrition on the part of the offending officials wouldn’t look like a photo opportunity. It wouldn’t look like an attempt to co-opt the valor of others. And it definitely wouldn’t look like an exercise in showing off how much they think they should be feared.