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It’s become quite clear that many Americans find professional athletes taking a knee during the national anthem to be disrespectful of the American flag and the men and women who have fought and died to defend it.

Yet, many of the kneelers and their supporters in the media insist that the protest has nothing to do with disrespecting our nation’s fallen warriors or the flag, and is only intended to raise awareness of racial inequalities and instances of police brutality.

However, a shocking picture that recently went viral has seemingly exposed that narrative to be a lie. It appears to shows a young man taking a knee at The Tomb of the Unknowns monument in Arlington National Cemetery, during the playing of “Taps” no less, according to a Facebook post from Salute Media.

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Salute Media reported that the photo was taken by a combat veteran who was paying his respects to the fallen at the most hallowed grounds of our nation and military — a place generally regarded as one of quiet reverence, honor and self-reflection.

American Military News noted that it is widely considered to be disrespectful for people to do anything other than stand silently and respectfully during the playing of “Taps” — a beautifully somber bugle call often heard at military funerals — particularly while at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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In fact, acts of disrespect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, if spotted by the guards on duty, have been loudly admonished in the past, as seen in a video shared by Military.com.

Unsurprisingly, many people on social media expressed their displeasure with the sight seen in the viral photo.

Thus far, no other photos or video have emerged of the kneeling man at the hallowed Tomb, nor have any details about his identity or stated reason for kneeling, if he even had one.

Should his identity ever be revealed, he could end up facing consequences for his actions — not from the military or government, but from the rest of society at large, who don’t care for those who have displayed utter disrespect at such an honorable location.

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Recall back in 2012 when another disrespectful photo at the Tomb went viral, in that case a woman flipping the middle finger and pretending to shout next to a sign that asked visitors to remain silent and respectful at all times. According to the New York Daily News, that woman ended up losing her job over the “ignorant and distasteful” photo once her employers saw it.

It remains to be seen if anything else will come of this most recent incident at the Tomb, but hopefully it is not the start of a new trend.

Please share this story on Facebook and Twitter so everyone can see this shocking picture of someone taking a knee at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.