The monument was criticized for 'silence'! Medal from US Secretary of Defense Hegseth to the soldier who warned him

US Secretary of Defense Hegseth rewarded the soldier on duty who warned him. Hegseth presented the "Joint Service Commendation Medal" to Master Corporal Thomas Iglesias, who sternly warned him and his entourage to remain silent at the Unknown Soldier Memorial following the Veterans Day ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

'WELL DONE CORPORAL'

Hegseth shared photos of the moments when he gave the medal to Iglesias on his social media account and said, "We love our soldiers. We love our standards. Well done, Specialist Corporal. Keep going, Patriots."

In the statement made by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), it was reported that Hegseth accepted the army unit responsible for protecting the monument and awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Master Corporal Thomas Iglesias for duly fulfilling his duty at the Unknown Soldier Monument. The medal, which is rarely presented personally and directly by the Minister of Defense, is generally given to military personnel who demonstrate outstanding success in joint missions.

THEY LAUGHED LOUD AT THE MONUMENT

After the ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump and Vice President James David Vance, Specialist Corporal Iglesias warned Hegseth and his entourage to be silent as per protocol when Hegseth and his entourage, who were taking photos in the memorial area, laughed loudly. Hegseth was accompanied by his wife Jennifer Hegseth, Chief of Staff Ricky Buria, Deputy Chief of Staff Patrick Weaver and senior advisor Tami Radabaugh during the incident.

IT IS CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE MOST SACRED MONUMENTS IN THE USA