Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, Reminds Defense Secretary's Group to Keep Silence and Respect: Pentagon Calls the Reminder Correct and Respectful
USA Today reported on November 11 that after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior advisers visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where some members of the group laughed while posing for pictures in front of the memorial and a sentinel guarding the tomb spoke up. "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all time," the sentinel yelled, prompting Hegseth and the group to turn around as they were walking away from the memorial. The incident was captured by television cameras.
The group also included Hegseth's chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, senior adviser Tami Radabaugh and his wife, Jennifer Hegseth. It was not clear which members of the group were laughing.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a statement that Hegseth "and the entire Department have always honored, and will always honor, the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe," adding, "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the burial site of an unidentifiable soldier killed in World War I and is guarded by a sentinel at all hours and in all weather. Hegseth visited the tomb after the Veterans Day ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, at which Trump praised Hegseth, saying the Pentagon chief had done a "fantastic job."
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：阿灵顿国家公墓无名战士墓与雪中执勤的哨兵（资料图）。The U.S. Army，Public domain，经Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: a tomb sentinel on duty in the snow at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery (file photo). The U.S. Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
