Not surprisingly, there's nothing to do at the Pentagon except start a war. Tourist aren't even allowed to take photos with the building in the background, so when the sailor-suited family of Navy veterans four generations deep handed me a disposable camera and asked me to follow at a distance and secretly take photos of them while they snapped to attention, saluted, and flashed peace signs for no apparent reason, I was only too happy to serve my country.
The passage reflects a sense of irony about the Pentagon being a hub of military activity where starting wars is the primary focus. It highlights the restrictions placed on visitors, such as the prohibition on taking photos with the Pentagon in the background, emphasizing a lack of openness at this iconic military site.
In a humorous twist, the narrator describes an encounter with a Navy veteran family who, despite the serious atmosphere, wants to capture playful moments with their disposable camera. This scene illustrates the juxtaposition between the solemnity of the Pentagon and the lightheartedness of the family's gestures, such as saluting and making peace signs, creating a unique commentary on military culture and patriotism.