Image provided by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth/X
Reporter Grace Eliza Goodwin
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth awarded a medal on the 12th to a Guardsman who reprimanded him and his aides at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery on the 11th to commemorate Veterans Day. At that time, Secretary Hegseth, his wife Jennifer Hegseth, and his entourage laughed and talked while taking pictures in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and were alerted by the U.S. Army guard guarding the tomb.
The Pentagon later announced that Hegseth awarded the Joint Mission Achievement Medal to Special Agent Tomas Iglesias for his work on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A photo on Hegseth's X account showed him presenting a medal to Iglesias.
Iglesias was accompanied by several members of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, which is responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"We love our soldiers. We love our high standards. Well done, Special Forces. Patriots, move forward," Hegseth posted alongside the photo.
Footage taken at the national cemetery on Tuesday shows a laugh from Hegseth's group, followed by security guard Iglesias loudly reminding all visitors to "maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
At Arlington National Cemetery, visitors are asked to speak quietly and not engage in disrespectful or disorderly behavior.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most important war memorials in the United States, commemorating the unknown soldiers who died in World War I.
"As we commemorate this solemn day, a service member asked everyone to be respectful, respectful, and civil," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
"The Secretary and the entire department have always, and always will, honor the sacrifices our military members make to keep America safe."
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day since 1948 by soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment.
According to CBS News, the BBC's American affiliate, it is not unusual for guards to caution visitors to cemeteries, several times a day.
Image copyrightAFP via Getty Images
The event was preceded by US President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other dignitaries attending the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
In a speech that followed, President Trump thanked the military personnel who fought for America. He also emphasized the success of the ongoing war with Iran, saying, ``We have won.''
Trump also mentioned Hegseth, saying he had "done a great job" as defense secretary.
This week, a resolution containing articles of impeachment was introduced in the U.S. Congress against Secretary Hegseth, accusing him of waging war against Iran without Congressional approval. However, the ruling Republican-controlled House of Representatives referred the matter to a committee on the 10th, and the impeachment attempt was thwarted.
On the same day, Mr. Hegseth held his first press conference in six months at the Pentagon and denounced the impeachment move as a "travesty" and "sabotage."
(English article: Hegseth awards medal to war memorial guard who reprimanded him and group)
