Soldiers remain at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier through Superstorm

Posted on: 6:34 am, October 30, 2012, by Will C. Holden, updated on: 06:59am, October 30, 2012

Photo Gallery Expand 1 of 4

This fake photo went viral on Twitter on Oct. 29, 2012, claiming to show U.S. Army members guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Hurricane Sandy. This photo was actually taken last month (Photo Twitter)
Spc. Brett Hyde, takes his 21 steps across a water soaked mat during Hurricane Sandy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Oct. 29, 2012. (Photo U.S. Army)
Spc. Brett Hyde, takes his 21 steps across a water soaked mat during Hurricane Sandy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Oct. 29, 2012. (Photo U.S. Army)
Spc. Brett Hyde maintains his vigil during Hurricane Sandy while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary, Va. on Oct. 29, 2012 (Photo U.S. Army)
Slideshow: Vampire Weekend and Of Monsters and Men in Denver New Bronco billboard: Steelers hit with ‘Manningitis’10-year-old cancer survivor made honorary Aurora police officer Denver ranks No. 3 on most ‘bikeable cities’ list

By Scott Wise
For WTVR

ARLINGTON, Va. (WTVR) – A picture of guards standing at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery is being re-tweeted around the internet as Hurricane Sandy dumps rain on Virginia. The photo, according to Poynter.org, was actually taken in September.

I took some pics at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery today, in the rain… smugmug.com/gallery/254471…—
Karin Markert (@KMarkert88) September 18, 2012

Other photos, posted on the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) page, were actually taken during Monday’s storm as a response to those photos.

“Thank you to all of our followers for the kind words this morning. Old Guard Soldiers are currently conducting modified funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, filling sand bags for contingencies, guarding the Tomb, and important support tasks such as continuing to operate the dining facility and aid station,” read a message posted on the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) page.

Tomb Sentinels from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment’s “The Old Guard” have guarded the Tomb for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of the weather, since 1948.

“The Old Guard has guarded the tomb minute of every day since April 6, 1948. Today will be no exception,” said an official posting on the unit’s Facebook site.

Click here to get more coverage of this story

Submit Your Photo