Explainer
Why did a soldier who scolded the defense secretary get a medal?
AI-generated text and synthetic voice. How this text is made
On Veterans Day, Pete Hegseth's group posed for photos at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and laughter carried. The sentinel halted and turned toward them. All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
The Pentagon played the episode down. At Arlington, spokesman Sean Parnell said the sentinel had reminded everyone to keep decorum in a correct and respectful way.
Arlington
The next day, a Pentagon official confirmed to CNN that the award recognized Specialist Thomas Iglesias's execution of his duties at the tomb on November eleventh. Hegseth framed it as a matter of standards: We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.”
Watch the explainer
Synthetic voice (AI)
The story
Hegseth awards medal to soldier who rebuked his group at Arlington tombRead the article
Based on reports by
- SIC NotíciasGuard reprimands US Secretary of Defense's entourage after laughter at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Spiegel OnlineUSA: Hegseth awards medal to soldier who yelled at him
- The New York TimesA sentinel demands that Hegseth's group show “respect” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- The GuardianPete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- EL MUNDOHegseth decorates the sentinel who shouted at him for laughing next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington cemetery
- LaVanguardiaA guard censures Hegseth for his lack of respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington