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An Army sentinel scolded a group of Pentagon officials, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, after the group was heard laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during a Veterans Day visit.
Hegseth, his wife and several aides, including chief of staff Ricky Buria, had just completed posing for a group photo at the iconic memorial to the unidentified dead service members of US wars Wednesday when the laughter broke out.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!” a soldier from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” immediately barked at the group.
It’s unclear who in the group was laughing.
Soldiers from the Old Guard stand watch at the tomb at all times and regularly remind visitors to remain silent while at the memorial.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell praised the soldier for reminding the group to follow the proper protocol at the sacred site.
“The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored—and will always honor—the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe,” Parnell said in a statement.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” he acknowledged.
President Trump participated in a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb before the reprimand.
The incident comes one day after House Republicans saved Hegseth from impeachment proceedings by voting to send articles of impeachment filed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to the House Judiciary Committee.
