NOVEMBER 11, 2026
Arlington National Cemetery is the most sacred place in the United States. However, during a recent Veterans Day ceremony, a group of high ranking officials were given a rare public reprimand after breaking protocol by laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Defense Secretary was with a group of his officials and was loudly reprimanded by a US Army Sentinel for laughing during a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This highlights that at Arlington Military protocol and respect for the deceased is at the forefront.
An Incident Occurred
During a visit to the memorial to pay their respects on Veterans Day, the group were taking photos in front of the white marble sarcophagus. As they were doing so, they could be heard laughing.
The ‘Old Guard’ responded quickly. One of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment broke their cadence and shouted:
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
This caused the group to fall silent immediately and drew attention from those around them.
The Significance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established in 1921 and sits at the centre of Arlington National Cemetery. It was created to honour unknown American service members who had died whilst on duty.
There are currently three unknown service members from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. For over 100 years it has been a central point of mourning.
The Sentinels
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as ‘The Old Guard’, are the oldest active infantry unit within the Army. Since 1937 they have stood guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24/7.
Being a Sentinel is one of the most prestigious and demanding roles within the military. Each soldier must abide by a strict set of rules, known as the ‘Sentinel’s Creed’. Each Sentinel must take 21 paces, pause for 21 seconds and face the Tomb for 21 seconds. This represents the gun salute of 21 shots which is the highest honour a military person can receive.
This includes making sure the public are following the correct protocol, they are allowed to question anyone who isn’t showing the correct amount of respect, for example if they’re being too loud, acting inappropriately or stepping over barriers. The Sentinel in this situation did an excellent job of carrying out their orders.
A Reminder of Military Protocol
This shows how important it is to put the mission first when in the military. While Veterans Day is a time for remembrance and celebration, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as a constant reminder of loss and mourning.
This is a great reminder for the Trump Administration officials that they need to keep themselves in check when entering sacred places. The only noise that should be heard at the Tomb is the click of the Sentinel’s boots. It acts as a heartbeat for a nation who still honors those who gave everything.