At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Rank Doesn't Matter

There are few places in America where silence speaks louder than words. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is undoubtedly one of them. It’s one of the most sacred places in America where millions of people visit every year and pay their respects to the countless heroes who served our country.

I won’t give a dissertation about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and explain what it is and what it means. If you are reading this, there’s a very high probability you already know. And if you don’t, please take the time to educate yourself.

I’ve been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier twice in the last three years and each time I was moved beyond words. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the changing of the guard and watch in awe at their precision, professionalism and respect. If you haven’t had a chance to experience it yourself, I would highly recommend it.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a place where American heroes, whose names are known only to God, rest in eternal peace. It’s a place where the sacrifices of generations of American service members are honored every minute of every day. And it is a place where nobody, regardless of rank, title or political affiliation, is above the rules.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of his entourage were reminded of that on Veterans Day.

"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of his entourage were reminded of that on Veterans Day."

Following a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, Hegseth, his wife and several senior aides were taking photographs near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As they began leaving and walking up the stairs, laughter and conversation could be heard.

That's when Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment assigned to guard the tomb stopped his patrol and issued a command.

"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!"

When I saw the video, I was in shock. I couldn’t believe that people in Hegseth’s entourage conducted themselves that way. The rules there are known by all, especially those associated with the Secretary of Defense. While I don’t think it was intentionally disrespectful, there is absolutely no excuse for it.

And it didn't matter that the man standing in the group was Pete Hegseth, one of the most powerful officials in the United States government. At that moment, Specialist Iglesias did his job and had a responsibility to uphold standards, and that’s exactly what he did. It was a masterclass.

What came next is my favorite part of the story. The following day, Hegseth invited Iglesias and members of his unit to the Pentagon and presented Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal for execution of his duties. It was a brilliant response to the situation, and I commend Secretary Hegseth for taking ownership of the situation and showing true leadership.

Shortly after, Hegseth posted on social media, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist," "Carry on Patriots." There’s not a much better way to opine. Superb work, Secretary Hegseth.

This situation is also an outstanding real-life example of how you should handle mistakes you make in life. Acknowledge it. Own it. Minimize the impact. Learn from it. Move on.

This is a story that should be shown and taught to every young American. It’s a story full of real-life lessons that can make our country a better place. While I was extremely disappointed to see people unintentionally disrespect one of America’s most sacred grounds, I believe more good than bad can come from this, if it’s used and taught the right way.

A sincere hats off to Specialist Iglesias and Secretary Hegseth for the way you both handled the situation. You have given us all an exemplary example of critical life lessons to share with others.

Chris Thompson’s column is published weekly on howiecarrshow.com.