Tomb Guard Reprimands Defense Secretary Hegseth and Staff
A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier issued a verbal reprimand to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. Federal officials and military observers took note as the sentinel interjected after members of the Secretary’s entourage broke decorum on the steps of the war memorial.
Tomb Sentinel Calls Out Noise After Official Veterans Day Service
The warning occurred while Hegseth stood on the empty steps in front of the tomb taking photos with his wife, Jennifer Rauchet, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh. As the group finished posing, a loud laugh broke out, prompting the sentinel from the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard”, to shout to the gathered crowd that all visitors must maintain silence and respect at all times. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated following the event that the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded those present to maintain decorum, adding that the Defense Department continuously honors the sacrifices of service members.
The incident follows a 211, 204 House vote on Tuesday that killed a resolution to impeach Hegseth introduced by Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican.
