Secretary of War Honors the Sentinel Who Yelled at His Group
This story is too good to ignore!
On Veterans Day 2026, a U.S. Army sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery publicly told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his aides to maintain silence after laughter and conversation disrupted the solemnity at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
According to CNN and other outlets, the incident occurred after a Veterans Day ceremony attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Hegseth’s team. Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh posed for photos near the memorial. As they began to leave, someone laughed loudly.
A sentinel from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stopped, faced the group, and shouted: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!”
No one knows who laughed.
The media raged
Hegseth showed who he was the next day.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Iglesias, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment “Old Guard” sentinel captured on video yesterday halting his walk to admonish the Secretary’s party after some in the group grew too loud near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
The award was presented today at the Pentagon “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb.” Sentinels issue the same warning to any visitor who breaks silence, regardless of rank.
That’s class and honor. However, the Sentinel probably could have been a little more diplomatic.
Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon
The recognition comes after Iglesias scolded Hegseth and his staff for making noise
Both Hegseth and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell publicly praised Iglesias for upholding cemetery standards https://t.co/8RjU3dKznX
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) November 12, 2026
