Sentinel Reprimands Hegseth and Entourage at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
During Veterans Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery, a US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage after laughter was heard as the group posed for photographs and ascended the memorial steps. The sentinel declared that all visitors must maintain "an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." A Pentagon spokesman said the soldier "correctly and respectfully" reminded everyone to maintain decorum. The incident drew criticism from former congressman Adam Kinzinger and followed a day after House Republicans blocked an impeachment effort against Hegseth in a 211-204 vote.
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Hegseth and Entourage Reprimanded by Sentinel at Tomb of the Unknowns
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of his entourage were admonished by a military sentinel standing watch over the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, according to The Washington Post. The sentinel intervened after Hegseth and his group appeared to violate the site's rules for decorum by laughing and talking while posing for photographs following a Veterans Day observance. The incident was reported by multiple outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, and FOX43, which described the guard's action as a reprimand intended to enforce respect at the solemn memorial site.
Read sourceHegseth's group reprimanded by guard for noise at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his wife, and several aides visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day for a wreath-laying ceremony. After the ceremony, as the group posed for a photo and began walking away, a member of the group audibly laughed, prompting a U.S. Army sentinel to loudly remind visitors to maintain silence and respect. It is unclear who laughed or whether Hegseth himself made noise. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the Secretary and the Department honor military sacrifices and that a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum. The Tomb memorializes unidentified service members, and sentinels are known to reprimand visitors who disrupt solemnity.
Read sourceSoldier Rebukes Hegseth Group for Laughing at Arlington Memorial
On Veterans Day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump attended a commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery. After a group photo, Hegseth, his wife Jennifer Rauchet, and some companions ascended the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when loud laughter was heard. A guard in parade uniform loudly reprimanded the group, saying, "All visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times," as seen in CNN footage. Hegseth and his companions briefly turned around before continuing. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, created in 1921, has been guarded around the clock since 1948 by soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. Respect for veterans holds a prominent role in US political culture.
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Hegseth and aides scolded by guard for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his senior staff on Wednesday after some in the group were heard laughing and talking near the memorial following a Veterans Day ceremony. Video showed Hegseth walking with his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and adviser Tami Radabaugh when a laugh prompted the guard to yell that all visitors must maintain 'an atmosphere of silence and respect.' Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier 'correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.' Former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger condemned the behavior as 'truly abhorrent' and said Hegseth is 'completely unqualified for the job.' The incident came a day after House Republicans blocked an impeachment effort against Hegseth in a 211-204 vote.
Read sourceHegseth and Advisers Reprimanded by Sentinel at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and a group accompanying him were reprimanded by a US Army sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, following a wreath-laying ceremony marking Veterans Day. Hegseth had joined the group for a photo when someone laughed, prompting the sentinel to shout: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." According to CBS News, the BBC's US partner, the group in the photo also included Hegseth's advisers Patrick Weaver and Tami Radabaugh, chief of staff Ricky Buria, and his wife Jennifer Hegseth. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that "a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum" while commemorating the solemn day.
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