Defense Secretary honors soldier who enforced solemn respect at Arlington tomb
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal after the soldier properly and respectfully reminded Hegseth and staff to keep silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with a Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday for his conduct at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The award ceremony took place at the Pentagon, where Hegseth praised the soldier, saying, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots."
The incident occurred after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery when Hegseth, his wife, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh were photographed in front of the tomb. Observers heard members of the group laughing and chatting after the photos. Specialist Thomas Iglesias, on sentinel duty, stopped and reminded the visitors, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum." The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded continuously by the 3rd Infantry Regiment since 1948, is a highly protected site where visitors are expected to observe silence.