Hegseth honors guard who reprimanded his team for making noise in front of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
"We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist," Hegseth wrote on X, accompanying the message with photos of the soldier and other members of the unit.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth honored the soldier on Thursday who reprimanded his team for making noise in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during Veterans Day. Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," for his performance of duties at the memorial.
"We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist," wrote Hegseth on X, accompanying the message with photos of the soldier and other members of the unit.
The incident: A public rebuke
The incident occurred on Wednesday, following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth and several of his advisors, including Chief of Staff Ricky Buria, Deputy Chief of Staff Patrick Weaver, and senior advisor Tami Radabaugh and the secretary's wife, Jennifer Hegseth, were reprimanded by the guard while they were taking photographs and talking near the memorial.
Private Iglesias interrupted his patrol and shouted at the group: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." The reprimand came after some members of the group laughed and spoke loudly near the grave, a place considered sacred and where the rules require silence and respect.
The Pentagon's response
The Pentagon's Response seeks to dispel any interpretation that the incident reflects a lack of respect for the fallen. However, the video of the moment, widely circulated by various media outlets, has sparked a public debate about the appropriate conduct of high-ranking officials at sites of national remembrance.
🛠 Do you think there is an error in this article?
Recommendations
LATEST
