Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth honored a soldier with a military commendation after the servicemember publicly reminded him and his staff to maintain respectful silence during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Recognition for Upholding Standards

Hegseth presented the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias during a Pentagon ceremony. The defense secretary posted photographs on social media showing him pinning the medal to Iglesias’ uniform, praising the soldier’s dedication to duty. Hegseth wrote that the military values both its servicemembers and the standards they uphold, commending Iglesias and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment for their commitment to excellence.

The commendation recognizes Iglesias for his performance of duties at the tomb on November 11, 2026. A Pentagon official confirmed that Hegseth welcomed members of the Old Guard to the Pentagon specifically to present the award to Iglesias, demonstrating the administration’s respect for military protocol and tradition.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

@SecWar

We love soldiers.
We love standards.
Well done, Specialist.

Carry on Patriots.

3:29 PM · Nov 12, 2026

The Veterans Day Incident

The ceremony followed a Veterans Day event attended by Hegseth, President Trump, and other administration officials at Arlington National Cemetery. Video footage captured Hegseth, his wife, chief of staff, and additional aides gathering near the tomb for photographs. When someone in the group laughed, Iglesias immediately responded with the standard reminder: visitors must maintain silence and respect at all times while at the sacred site.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell addressed the incident directly, stating that the secretary and the entire Department of Defense have always honored military sacrifices and will continue doing so. Parnell emphasized that the soldier acted correctly and respectfully when reminding the group about proper decorum at the memorial site.

Standard Practice at Sacred Ground

Soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier regularly remind visitors about maintaining appropriate behavior. Members of the regiment responsible for protecting the tomb report that sentinels address crowds approximately two to three times daily. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, maintains a continuous vigil at the tomb, honoring fallen servicemembers whose remains were never identified. These guards follow strict protocols and hold all visitors, regardless of rank or position, to the same standards of respectful conduct at the memorial.