Democratic strategist James Carville spoke with retired Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule on Veterans Day about two significant issues that popped up in President Donald Trump's administration: The giant arch blocking Arlington National Cemetery and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's disrespect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Hegseth's group was corrected by one of the members of the Old Guard, the elite team of military members who endure the worst weather to maintain a constant guard of an American soldier who could not be identified after World War I. But the Tomb goes beyond that soldier, as Seidule explained.
"All the nations that fought in World War I created a Tomb of the Unknowns because there were so many that were killed that they did not know who they were. And we had one, the British had one, the French have one, and we started ours in the mid 1920s," Seidule said.
Both men described the place as perhaps the most sacred place in the United States and discussed Hegseth's treatment of it on Wednesday.
The general walked through details of the uniform that soldiers wear while guarding the Tomb, as well as the 14-pound M14 rifle.
"They march 21 steps down this black mat behind the tomb. Then they turn, they face east for 21 seconds. Then they turn and face north for 21 seconds and then take 21 steps down the mat and repeat the process," the general continued. It comes from the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor the military can give.
To become a member of the Old Guard, "they have to memorize a hundred different questions. They've got to remember where 300 of the PE famous people are buried there. ... And remember they're doing this 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and have been doing this since it was finished in 1932."
The march happens through all manner of weather, including lightning, thunder or anything else.
"There is no inclement weather plan. There's no hurricane plan. There's no tornado plan. There's no earthquake plan. There's no terrorism plan except if somebody attacks it, they will defend it with their life," said Seidule.
"What I loved about it, James, was that guy that was out front there represents the U.S, Army and those who have served on the most important day for a veteran," he continued.
Carville wondered if the soldier got a "dressing down" due to his response telling Hegseth and his party to be quiet.
"He did exactly what he was supposed to do," the general said. "I mean, you're told [you're] supposed to give that command when someone is not being respectful. So, when you're there, you're supposed to look at that. You're supposed to be silent."
"They're called silence, respect, dignity and perseverance," he said of the four soldiers in the rotation. "All things that the Secretary of Defense doesn't do."
The other piece is that Trump's giant arch would also loom large over the Tomb, and Gen. Seidule cited a Washington Post report that followed the sun path and found that the giant arch will cover the view of John F. Kennedy's grave, which is why the Kennedy family moved to sue over it.
"Nothing wrong with putting something small, but something that's going to ruin the sight lines between the monuments and Arlington. And you know, it's up there on that hill," the general added.
