After a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington, the sentinel called for silence and respect. France 24 said the group had been laughing and taking pictures at the memorial.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has commended the Army sentinel who reprimanded his group at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hegseth posted photographs on X showing him pinning a medal on the soldier’s uniform, The Guardian said.
The commendation followed a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony on 11 November 2026. Hegseth joined a group for a photograph, and someone laughed before the sentinel shouted: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
A Pentagon official confirmed to CNN that Hegseth awarded Specialist Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon for carrying out his duties at the tomb on 11 November, The Guardian reported. The official said Hegseth hosted members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, at the Pentagon.
On 12 November 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias for carrying out his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Pentagon said. Hegseth also hosted members of Iglesias’s regiment, known as the Old Guard, at the Pentagon.
France 24 said the group was reprimanded for laughing and taking pictures in front of the memorial. CBS News identified the others in the photograph as Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Hegseth; his chief of staff, Ricky Buria; and his advisers Patrick Weaver and Tami Radabaugh.
The tomb is the resting place of unidentified US soldiers from World War I and later conflicts and commemorates those who died in war. Members of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, watch over it around the clock.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the soldier “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.” He said Hegseth and the department had always honored military personnel’s sacrifices and would continue to do so.
In his post accompanying the photographs, Hegseth wrote: “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots.”
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