Family of Green Beret Concerned Trump's Campaign Filmed Gravesite Without Permission at Arlington

The family of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a Green Beret who died by suicide after approximately a dozen combat tours and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery, has expressed concern regarding a recent incident involving Donald J. Trump's campaign. The campaign allegedly filmed Marckesano's gravesite without proper authorization, with the former president standing in a prohibited area for campaign photography.

Concern Over Unauthorized Filming

Two days after the visit, the family released a statement condemning the campaign's actions, which also included a disagreement between members of the Trump campaign and Arlington National Cemetery personnel. The filming took place in Section 60, a heavily restricted area mainly designated for fallen veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to reports, a cemetery employee filed an incident report with military authorities, detailing the altercation. However, the military official, who remains anonymous, later opted not to pursue legal action, citing concerns about potential retaliatory measures from Trump supporters.

Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano passed away on July 6, 2020, after relocating to Washington to assume a position at the Pentagon. It was noted that he suffered from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to his combat experience. His gravesite is located adjacent to that of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, a Marine who tragically lost his life in the 2021 bombing at Abbey Gate outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

The family's apprehension regarding the unauthorized filming of Minister Sgt. Marckesano's gravesite raises important questions about the respect and sanctity of hallowed ground, particularly in a cemetery dedicated to honoring fallen veterans.