Some of this seems like whining. Like the whole "stepping on gravestones" regarding the picture of the production area - it's dadrned difficult to place that much gear and those many people in a cemetery without some gravestones being stepped on or having gear placed on top of it. Graves, be they of WWII vets or nameless paupers, should be treated with respect but are not such holy icons that being stepped upon will stop the earth from spinning. (I wonder how the author feels about the lawnmowers that clack and buzz over the graves as the grass is cut - or is routine maintenance somehow different than a film crew working?)
Some of this seems like stupidity in motion - a TV show scene about a character come to the WWII cemetery to visit the grave of his father, that has the unscripted opportunity to include distant footage of real WWII veterans honoring their fallen comerades. A director worth their salt ought to be able to recognize the tearjerk factor of that background material and how to exploit it. Heck, I would probably try to get footage of a real WWII vet placing flowers on a grave and cut it into the big scene just to build up the drama of the non-existent father's character. And given the chance to do any shot of Taps playing in the background, that I could cut the sound into my star's big scene? I'd be beating the writers' heads and shoulders while asking why they did not think of that in the first place.
But it seems the network exec is the chief dummy. An apology for hurt feelings and the matter would have been closed. Getting into competing accusations is always a losing proposition, and he and the network will lose big-time over this.
Having gotten all that out of my system I'd lilke to address my main topic - asking why anybody in the Dept. of Veterans Affairs thought it would be a "good idea" to rent the place out for any commercial use? Their website states:
FLORAL/GROUNDS POLICY
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year.
Artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance. Potted plants and artificial flowers will be permitted on gravesites only during the period five days before to five days after Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and "Hana Matsuri" (April 8). They will also be permitted from July 12 to August 15 in observance of "O-BON". Christmas trees, no matter what size, are not considered potted plants and will not be allowed. Floral items and other types of decorations will not be secured to markers or Columbarium walls.
Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, glass objects of any kind and any other type of commemorative items, including photographs, toys (pin wheels, balloons, wind chimes, stuffed toys, or any similar articles) are not permitted.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.
And yet a film crew is not considered offensive or inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery?
Now, can we focus on this notion for a moment?
stay safe.
