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Sentry rebukes Pete Hegseth at Arlington
US Pete Hegseth was sharply rebuked by a sentry for laughing on the marble steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day, nrc.nl reported.
The incident occurred on Wednesday following the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia. Spanning 250 hectares, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for more than 430,000 American service members.
Footage captured Hegseth standing with his wife and three officials outside the Memorial Amphitheater. As the group dispersed after posing for photographs, brief laughter broke out among them.
A sentry from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment immediately shouted over the monument grounds. „All visitors are expected to maintain silence and respect at all times,” he bellowed, according to nrc.nl.
Medal Awarded Following the Arlington Cemetery Reprimand
The white marble sarcophagus houses an unidentified World War I soldier, alongside crypts containing unidentified service members from World War II and the Korean War. An unknown soldier from the Vietnam War originally interred there was later identified and reburied.
We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots. pic.twitter.com/Uk6ek6oOso
Since 1937, soldiers have guarded the tomb continuously around the clock. The sentries frequently use sharp vocal commands to enforce silence and reverence among visitors.
The day after the confrontation, Hegseth published a post on X praising the guard, specialist Thomas Iglesias. He said that Iglesias carried out his duties expertly on November 11, 2026, and announced the award of a Joint Service Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
wow — CNN broadcast footage of an Arlington guard yelling at a group with Pete Hegseth to "MAINTAIN SILENCE … PAY RESPECT!" after someone in his entourage started laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pic.twitter.com/430uEKRRp5
„We love soldiers. We love standards. Good job, Specialist,” Hegseth wrote alongside photographs of the medal presentation ceremony.
Past Incidents Involving the National Command Authority
Hegseth and President Donald Trump comprise the National Command Authority. Trump himself faced intense backlash during the 2024 presidential campaign after posing for photographs with a thumbs-up gesture beside a grave at the same cemetery.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
How long has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier been guarded?
The monument has been continuously guarded by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment since March 25, 1937. Sentries maintain their vigil in all weather conditions, 24 hours a day.
What military unit provides the guards for the monument?
Soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” perform the sentinel duties at Arlington National Cemetery.
Are visitors allowed to speak near the tomb?
Strict silence and a respectful demeanor are enforced at all times in the plaza surrounding the monument. Sentries are authorized to issue sharp verbal warnings to anyone violating the rules.
Who is buried inside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The tomb contains the remains of unidentified service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. A crypt intended for the Vietnam War was left vacant after the remains originally placed there were identified through DNA testing and returned to their family in 1998.
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