Guard reminds visitors to keep silence after Defense Secretary's group laughs at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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A routine Veterans Day visit at Arlington drew a sharp reminder of decorum after a laugh was heard as a group including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth departed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony, where respect and solemnity are expected above all.
A U.S. Army sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery asked a visiting group, which included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to observe silence after a laugh was heard as the party left a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony.
The defense secretary, his wife, chief of staff Ricky Buria and several aides had attended the ceremony, which was also attended by President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, before posing for a photo.
"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times," the sentinel said.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CBS News that the secretary and the department have always honored the sacrifices of service members and that the soldier’s reminder was appropriate.
CNN reported the incident first. The Tomb honors unidentified American service members from World War I onward, and its sentinels perform a continuous guard-changing ceremony.