An Army sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier called for silence and respect Wednesday after laughter was heard as members of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s group left a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Video of the gathering shows President Donald Trump leaving after a wreath-laying ceremony at about 12:28 p.m. Around a minute later, Hegseth, his wife Jennifer and other members of the group posed for photos on the memorial steps. As they departed, laughter could be heard in the distance.
The sentinel then reminded visitors to observe the site’s rules. “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier said at about 12:30 p.m., after Trump had left.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department remains committed to honoring service members who died in the line of duty. He added that the soldier had appropriately reminded those present to behave respectfully during the solemn observance.
The soldiers who guard the tomb are sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard. Arlington National Cemetery says they keep watch around the clock, every day of the year, in all weather.
The demanding assignment involves extensive training, including learning the cemetery’s history and ceremonial procedures, along with strict standards for appearance and conduct.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier commemorates unidentified U.S. service members who died in military conflicts. It is one of the country’s most solemn military memorials and a central site for Veterans Day observances.
