Summary
A U.S. Army sentinel reprimanded a group that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day after someone in the group appeared to laugh. It is unclear who laughed, and the article says it is not clear whether Hegseth made any noise.Key Facts
- Hegseth, his wife and several aides visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a Veterans Day wreath-laying.
- After the group posed for a photo, a sentinel called out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
- President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the event.
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier respectfully reminded visitors to maintain decorum.
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors unidentified American service members from World War I and later conflicts.
- Army sentinels guard the tomb around the clock and conduct a well-known changing-of-the-guard ceremony.
- An Army staff sergeant said in a 2022 interview that sentinels respond to visitors two or three times per day.
