general

Military cemetery decorum: The tradition behind Hegseth's Veterans Day reprimand

Military cemetery decorum: The tradition behind Hegseth's Veterans Day reprimand

BBC's Bernd Debusmann breaks down why Defence Secretary Hegseth's group was reprimanded at Arlington National Cemetery and the history behind its strict rules of conduct.

Earlier this week, a sentinel reprimanded a group that included US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery. The incident followed a wreath-laying ceremony marking Veterans Day.

The Pentagon have since announced that Hegseth has given the soldier, Specialist Thomas Iglesias, a Joint Service Commendation Medal "for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier".

BBC's Bernd Debusmann breaks down why Hegseth's group was reprimanded, the history behind the strict rules governing visitor behaviour and the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

  • cemetery
  • decorum
  • tradition
  • hegseth
  • veterans
  • reprimand
  • bbc
  • bernd

Summaries and tags are generated automatically. Stay informed with VidiaNews.

Related news

Digested week: do we really have to see Liz Truss at the Cenotaph for the next 30 years?
general

Digested week: do we really have to see Liz Truss at the Cenotaph for the next 30 years?

Meanwhile, Nige wants more air time, and Boris Johnson couldn’t have made less effort Like most people, I assume, I had always thought the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph was a time to think of those who died in the two world wars and later armed conflicts. I’m sure the BBC will reflect seriously on this lapse of judgment in its debrief of the programme and will next year have several cameras trained on Nige throughout the service.

Read →