Video footage captured Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day observance. Specialist Thomas Iglesias shouted at the group to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect, a move chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described as correct and respectful. On Thursday, Hegseth hosted members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment and personally awarded Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal. The ceremony took place following an annual wreath-laying event attended by President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.
Key points
Sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment maintain an uncompromising standard of resp…: Sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment maintain an uncompromising standard of respect at the memorial regardless of official rank.
The defence secretary accepted the soldier's intervention by directly rewarding the senti…: The defence secretary accepted the soldier's intervention by directly rewarding the sentinel for carrying out his required guard duties.
The observance occurred shortly after Democratic lawmakers failed in an attempt to impeac…: The observance occurred shortly after Democratic lawmakers failed in an attempt to impeach Hegseth over unauthorized military actions involving Iran.
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- Published
The Pentagon has given its backing to a US Army guard who reprimanded a group that included US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Arlington National Cemetery.
A video of the Veterans Day observance event on Wednesday showed Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and talking while posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The footage showed the army sentinel on duty stepping towards Hegseth's group and shouting: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
"The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored - and will always honor - the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe."
On Thursday, he presented an award to the soldier who reprimanded his group.
Hegseth "welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard to the Pentagon where he proudly awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for…
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