Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a group around him were reprimanded by a sentry on Wednesday for not maintaining decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. A day later, Mr. Hegseth awarded that soldier for sticking to his duties, no matter whom he was scolding.
CNN released footage Wednesday that showed Mr. Hegseth and a group of people taking pictures and laughing together at the solemn monument during a Veterans Day event.
Shortly after the laughter, the soldier, Spc. Thomas Iglesias, who was watching over the monument, can be heard yelling on the video, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
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From the footage, it’s not clear who was laughing in Mr. Hegseth’s party.
Spc. Iglesias was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Mr. Hegseth, according to the Pentagon on Thursday. It was presented “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb.”
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Mr. Hegseth said on social media. “Carry on Patriots.”
Multiple sentries are always on watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument unveiled in 1921 to honor unidentified service members lost in conflict.
It’s a common occurrence for soldiers to reprimand visitors to maintain a somber decorum while at the monument.
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