Army guards at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier withstand hurricane

Monday offered the military guards standing outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va., a moment to inspire others with their ability to withstand a hurricane.

A photo posted on Facebook went viral on social media, and likely especially resonated on the East Coast, where most dwelling in the path of the storm were strongly urged to stay home and indoors.

MT @missioncontinue Incredible - Unfazed by #Sandy, soldiers stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns bit.ly/S8zZIS

— Veterans Affairs (@DeptVetAffairs) October 29, 2012

"Soldiers of the 3rd Inf Reg. continue to stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, despite the worsening weather conditions surrounding Hurricane Sandy," the First Army Division East posted earlier in the day on Facebook, along with the photo. 

The 3rd Infantry Regiment used Twitter to clarify that the picture was not actually taken on Monday during Hurricane Sandy but in mid-September. However, the regiment -- the oldest active-duty infantry regiment in the Army -- is also on Facebook and posted several photos of soldiers guarding the Tomb on Monday.

"The Old Guard has guarded the tomb every minute of every day since April 6, 1948," the regiment posted. "Today will be no exception."

The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or "The Old Guard," provides ceremonial escorts for the president, for military funerals, and maintains a 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. 

The original photo has elsewhere been credited to photographer K.L. Markert, who took it on Sept. 18, 2012. 

Arlington National Cemetery is closed to visitors on Monday, along with federal offices and major transportation services in the Washington, D.C., area. Hurricane Sandy has been credited with wind speeds reaching up to 75 miles an hour along the coast.

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