PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts (NBC News Channel) -- A Massachusetts woman is facing enormous criticism for a disgraceful act at one of America's most revered locations. The woman went to Arlington National Cemetery, mocked a sign near the Tomb of the Unknowns, and then posted that photo online.
Thousands of tourists visit Arlington Cemetery every year to pay their respects to this country's fallen soldiers. But last month, 30-year-old Lindsey Stone photographed herself doing something very different.
In the picture, Lindsay can be seen 'flipping off' the Tomb of the Unknowns and pretending to scream in front of a sign requesting silence and respect.
"I was appalled," said Peter Stone, who is Lindsay's father. "It's not what this family is all about."
Stone's father, who spoke to NBC's affiliate WHDH in Boston, apologized for the photo, which was posted on his daughter's Facebook page as a joke.
"She's just beside herself," Peter Stone said "She had no idea it was gonna go where it did."
To Lindsay's surprise, the photo went viral, even spawning a Facebook page called "Fire Lindsay Stone."
Lindsay and her co-worker, who took the picture, have both been placed on leave from the assisted living home where they both work. Their employer released the following statement:
"This photograph in no way reflects the opinions, thoughts, or feelings of the life organization."
Lindsay and her friend Jamie Schuss, who took the picture, also released a statement saying:
"We sincerely apologize for all the pain we have caused by posting the picture... We never meant to disrespect any of the people nationwide who have served this country and defended our freedom so valiantly."
But some veterans in Hyaenas, Massachusetts don't care if it was a joke or not. To them, it's offensive either way.
"People do stupid things in this country every day," one of the veterans told NBC. "That's one of them for sure."
In their statement, Lindsey and her co-worker added that they recognized the photo was distasteful and ignorant. How that affects their work remains to be seen, as both are on unpaid leave.
