The video of Pete Hegseth and his entourage being told to be quiet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery has sparked strong reactions. Now, Vietnam War veteran Michael Lemmon is lashing out at Hegseth, branding him “juvenile.”
Pete Hegseth and his entourage, including his wife, Jennifer; White House chief of staff Ricky Buria; deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver; and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh, visited Arlington Cemetery on Wednesday. But as they took a picture at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, something happened.
Laughter from one of the people in the group was heard, and a guard shouted, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!”
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day by members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard.
Their mission is to honor American service members who lost their lives in military service but were never identified.
The post is considered one of the most sacred duties in the U.S. military, and strict rules apply to everyone visiting the memorial, regardless of their rank or position.
The incident involving Pete Hegseth has since sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the exchange at Arlington National Cemetery. On Thursday, the Secretary of War decided to award a medal to the guard who shouted at him and his group. His name is Specialist Thomas Iglesias.
Vietnam War veteran lashes out against Pete Hegseth amid Arlington controversy
However, the medal ceremony also sparked backlash, as Pete Hegseth has not publicly apologized for what happened at Arlington. Another prominent person has joined in the criticism of Pete Hegseth.
Appearing on CNN on Wednesday, Vietnam veteran Michael Lemmon criticized Hegseth, saying the defense secretary’s entourage reflected the very “Animal House” mentality he had brought into the Department of Defense.
“My first reaction was, God bless that soldier for doing his duty. My second reaction was this is emblematic of the ‘Animal House’ type of secretary of defense and Pentagon that we seem to have now,” Lemmon, who is also suing the Pentagon over the construction of the Trump Arch, said.
“You’d think that they would know better, that you have to be solemn and quiet and respectful at that tomb in particular, but at Arlington National Cemetery in general,” he cotninued I think this is emblematic of, shall we say, the very shallow appreciation that senior levels seem to have of the symbolic, emotional, fundamental importance of Arlington National Cemetery and its sensitivity. It is sacred ground.”
“The rot is beginning to spread”
Michael Lemmons told CNN anchor Erin Burnett that Arlington Cemetery symbolizes an “unwritten combat between veterans and their government.”
Burnett then replayed the clip of Hegseth’s plan for the U.S. military going forward, where the Secretary of War stated that they are “no longer the woke department or the weak department. No fanny, no fatties, no trannies, no beards, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors. Just tough, ready committed troops.”
The Vietnam War veteran responded, saying that Pete Hegseth is “degrading not just the physical capabilities of our beloved military, but the morale,”
“I’ve got lots of friends who are still serving, as well as many retired. And the rot, you know, a fish rots from the head on down, and the rot is beginning to spread. What [Hegseth] has done to some of our finest generals and admirals and senior officials in the Pentagon is incredible. This is like a juvenile finally, with power and not being able to restrain himself,” Michael Lemmons told CNN.
Thoughts on this? Please share your opinion in the comment section.
Read more:
