The guard at Arlington National Cemetery who chastised his colleagues received a medal from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers were seen smiling and chatting in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day observance ceremony on Wednesday. The guard then warned them to stop talking.
Specialist Thomas Iglesias received a Joint Service Commendation Medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb” from Hegseth, according to a Pentagon statement.
The defense secretary was seen giving Iglesias the medal in pictures posted on his X account.
Quick Facts
| What Happened | Hegseth awarded a military medal to an Arlington Tomb guard. |
|---|---|
| Location | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, USA. |
| Recipient | Specialist Thomas Iglesias. |
| Presented By | US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. |
| Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal. |
| Military Unit | 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard. |
| Reason | Recognising his professionalism and enforcement of cemetery etiquette. |
| Significance | Highlights military discipline and respect for fallen American soldiers. |
He was accompanied by others who the Pentagon described as members of the Old Guard, the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, which is in charge of keeping watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.We adore soldiers. We adore standards. Fantastic work, Specialist. The text that goes with Hegseth’s post says, “Carry on Patriots.”
The army sentinel on duty, later identified as Iglesias, can be seen in the video approaching Hegseth’s party and yelling, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
Tomb Guards Enforce Strict Visitor Etiquette
In accordance with Arlington National Cemetery etiquette, visitors should refrain from impolite or disruptive behavior and speak quietly.
One of the nation’s most revered military memorials, the tomb represents the last resting place of an unidentified soldier who lost his life during World military I.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, later said in a statement.
Trump Claims Victory in Iran War
Trump thanked uniformed service men who have fought for the nation during his speech at the event. He also highlighted the administration’s perceived victory in the conflict with Iran.
“It was about time that someone rebelled against this administration. “We all fought back,” he declared. “And we won,” Trump stated of the conflict with Iran. “We only need to decide when to put a stop to it. We want to ensure that we win completely, not just 93% of the time.
During the event, Trump again mentioned Hegseth, praising his “fantastic job” as defense secretary.
