Trump’s attitude that those buried at Arlington are ‘suckers and losers’ has rubbed off on SecDef Pete Hegseth. This being Veteran’s Day the traditional annual ceremony of laying a wreath took place at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Presidents either attend or if for some reason can’t send the top person(s) they can for the event. That of course includes the Secretary of Defense whenever he (someday she?) is in town. Trump (and J.D. Vance) got the hell out of there as soon as he could. Petey Boy? He and his crew hung around. He just had to have some ‘cool’ photos of himself posing with his equally awful wife and other co-workers and pals – using the Tomb as background. That simply isn’t done, but being Hegseth he and his party made a bad thing worse by joking around and audibly laughing. The guard on duty (in case you don’t know an enlisted guy) SHOUTED out a reprimand. It was all caught on camera.
I spent time in the 1980s stationed at Henderson Hall, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and Ft. Myer where the 3rd Infantry, the Old Guard that watches over the Tomb of the Unknowns is based. If you’ve never been, watched the lone Sentinel marching post, the Changing of the Guard ceremony each hour and walked through the adjacent amphitheater where ceremonial events are held I can assure you the weight of where you are, and what it represents is overwhelming. Taking pictures from a distance is permitted, but there is a perimeter close to the Tomb where three honored dead rest beneath the stones) but for damned sure not from close up. Like on the steps leading down from the amphitheater. However Hegseth lined up a photographer with a fancy professional grade camera to get some picks of himself play “Warrior Leader.’
Actually, it was as The Guardian reports rather more:
According to video captured by the TV network pool, Hegseth was with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh walking up the steps in front of the memorial after posing for pictures. A laugh is audible, prompting the guard to yell: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.” Hegseth looked over his shoulder in the direction of the soldier as he continued walking up the steps.
Mad respect and thanks from this ole jarhead that the Army still produces soldiers who, when selected for the elite duty call out those who disrespect that sacred spot. No matter who they are. (Or think they are) Having known a handful of soldiers from the Old Guard decades ago those handful who make the cut to walk that vigil, guarding that special place take the honor of doing so seriously. Rain or shine, in brutal heat and blazing cold they walk their tour along back and forth and woe to the person who doesn’t show the proper respect. Hegseth probably was beside himself over some soldier, an enlisted one at that calling him out. Had the guard not been a white guy he’d have probably had him relieved on the spot! Of course Petey Boy is a big enough piece of sh!t he’ll soon try to punish the guy. Any Officer or senior enlisted in the Old Guard who goes along with that will find themselves ostracized throughout the Army.
Now, you might be asking yourself ‘was it that big a deal?’ Yes. It sure as hell was. If you have any sense of love of country and respect for those who served but especially for those who gave their lives doing so it’s a HUGE f**king deal. So many have done the latter in our history, and until relatively recently near battlefields have almost always held those who could not be identified. In WWI a way was devised devised to honor all who gave their lives and in particular those unidentified ones ‘known but to God.’ That’s how the Tomb Of the Unknown Soldier came to be. Unknowns from WWII and Korea rest there as well. There’d been one from Vietnam but some forensics people couldn’t resist trying to use DNA technology to ID him and did so. His remains were removed and his family reburied him.
Still, I want anyone reading this to think, really think about what that spot in Arlington represents. It’s worthy of, demands the highest respect and decorum. One thing it’s not is a place to shoot selfies using the most sacred resting place for a select few of our honored dead as a backdrop/prop. And for damned sure it’s not a place to go cracking jokes and visibly and audibly laughing while doing so. Think I’m exaggerating? See for yourself:
If you didn’t notice certain details let me spell them out for you. A Sentinel (guard) walks along a precise path (that black path you see on the deck) – 21 steps, face east for 21 seconds, turn and walk 21 steps the opposite direction then again face east for 21 seconds. Back and forth 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For those who don’t know the ’21’ is a representation of a 21 Gun Salute which is the highest military honor rendered both in the United States and countries around the world.
There is only one reason they’d step off their assigned path, or speak. It’s to defend the Tomb including not just against someone who might take a run at it but openly, where everyone nearby can see disrespects it in some way. Like taking close up photos for an ego wall (or to post online?). And joking around. And laughing. If you didn’t notice that Sentinel stepped off his assigned path and towards the offenders and shouted his admonition to STFU and show some goddam respect you assholes! Ok, he didn’t put it quite like that but that’s what he said so for those who’ve never served I translated it for you.
Petey Boy fancies himself the ultimate leader of ‘warriors.’ He’s nothing but a punk-ass wannabe. And an enlisted soldier, not a senior one but a lower ranking one called attention to that fact for the whole world to see thanks to the pool reporter keeping the camera running. Of course Hegseth realized he’d dumped a pile and fell face first into it so he had Sean Parnell issue a statement:
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: “The secretary and the entire department have always honored – and will always honor – the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
To that I say don’t go pissing down on us and try to tell us it’s rain. Parnell left out WHO had been reprimanded and WHY in his official statement. They are going to try and gaslight the public it was some random person (if not a ‘know liberal who hates our troops America and is a terrorist) and hope people never learn just who it was who’d disrespected that hallowed place. But you know what? I saw the riot on Jan. 6 as it happened and have seen it on video countless times since. I didn’t see this live, but I’ve got the video and it’s not the only one out there. I’ll do my part to spread it far and wide as I can.
If Hegseth had so much of an ounce of honor he’d have gone over to the WH and told Trump he was resigning. Then again, if only to avoid the ridicule headed his way he did so. And Trump said not to worry about it because Arlington if filled with suckers and losers so no worries. Hegseth won’t leave his job unless Trump tosses him out and I don’t see that happening. Let’s just hope that Senator Duckworth who lost her legs in Iraq, Senator Kelly and some of our brand new Congress Critters who are former military including one from South Carolina that Petey Boy fired ’cause she’s a gurrllll!’ bring up what happened today. Maybe show some of that video above.
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This enrages me. What a bunch of horseshit! Even I know about the proper decorum and respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That’s one helluva place to walk, and I seem to recall it’s not easy to be one of them. There was a story I read about a hurricane coming and they could stay underground until it passed. They refused. And think of the biting cold for Trump’s inauguration. I’d bet they were out there then.
I was going to say I cannot believe what Hegseth did, but then I remember Petey Boy, and it’s easy to believe after all. I wish I could spit the proverbial nails at him. I don’t see that he has any authority over those who walk that path. Such a vain, arrogant ass. Grrrrrrr.