US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday met members of the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and presented an award of excellence to the guard's commander, the same soldier who had rebuked him a day earlier for inappropriate behavior during a Veterans Day ceremony.
Unknown Soldier Guard Honored
Hegseth Honors Guard Who Rebuked Him
A day after the guard commander at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier told the defense secretary's party to keep silent, Pete Hegseth met the honor guard and gave the commander an award of excellence.
The Pentagon said the soldier received the award after he "acted properly and did his job." Hegseth added: "We love soldiers, and we love standards. Well done to the commander. Keep it up, patriots."
The incident took place on Wednesday, November 11, during the US military's Veterans Day ceremony. A sergeant in dress uniform, who commands the honor guard, stands watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After the wreath-laying, Hegseth and his wife posed for photos with their entourage, smiling and exchanging remarks accompanied by laughter, according to Srugim.
Laughter at the memorial site| צילום: No credit
The guard commander then raised his voice at the group. "All visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!" he told them.
