Pete Hegseth Has Short And Sweet Message For Soldier Who Scolded His Group

Detailed summary

The Defense secretary awarded the guard with a Joint Service Commendation Medal for “execution of his duties” at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented an award to a soldier who reprimanded him and his entourage during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots,” Hegseth posted on X.

The recognition comes a day after the former Fox News host and his group were scolded for laughter while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — a sacred memorial site that houses the unidentified remains of American service members who died in war.

A guard for the Tomb ― which is protected 24 hours a day by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army ― then sternly shouted at the group, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”

A Pentagon official told CNN that Hegseth welcomed the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard, to the Pentagon “where he proudly awarded Specialist Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier on Nov. 11, 2026.”

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Wednesday also commended the guard’s actions.

“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said in a written statement to HuffPost.

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