Teacher, Groundskeeper Tells Story Behind Patriotic Photo


A teacher in Texas snapped a photo of a school groundskeeper putting down his tools, and paying respect during the Pledge of Allegiance. The patriotic photo is now going viral on the internet, and for good reason.

This morning (March 13, 2014), reported by Fox News, the teacher who snapped the photo, and the groundskeeper appeared on the show Fox and Friends. Smith Middle School teacher Garrett Hartman, and groundskeeper Clayton Allen Jr., came together to discuss the details of the patriotic photo.

Hartman first discusses the initial lead-up to the photo. According to a video on Yahoo News, Garrett, and another partner teacher were preparing students in their classrooms to participate in the morning ritual of the Pledge to Texas, Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence. During the Pledge of Allegiance, the partner teacher told him to look outside the window very quick. What he saw was Allen Jr. participating in the pledge, too. The photo, that would go viral, was taken during the moment of silence. Garrett also described taking the picture, speaking volumes of Clayton’s character and patriotic attitude.

During second period, Hartman would meet up with Allen Jr., just to find out he was just twenty-one years old. That really brought home the moment for Garrett.

After the story of how the photo came to be, Allen Jr. was asked how he felt that so many people saw the picture of him showing respect during the pledge. He responded stating that it meant a lot to him followed by thanking God first, then his parents for his upbringing, then for all the blessings received each day.

He would then be asked what he would want people to know on why he pays respects to this nation. It was apparent at this time how nervous Clayton felt, since he didn’t really answer the question, but still expressed integrity despite an answer.

The interview concluded with Hartman asking why this (the events centered around the patriotic photo) is important to share with his students, as well as the rest of the nation. He responded that people are living in a fast-paced world and the picture tells all of us to take a moment to reflect on what we have in America and the blessings we have in our day-to-day lives.

This bit of news is such a breath of fresh air, as it pertains to the Pledge of Allegiance. Prior to this article, any news about the pledge would be of a negative connotation, such as the teacher who was suspended for forcing a student to recite it, as reported here on The Inquisitr.

Nevertheless, we need more hometown heroes like Clayton Allen Jr. Sometimes, all you need to do is something simple, such as show respect. And, maybe, it’ll become a patriotic photo that’ll go viral.

Share this article: Teacher, Groundskeeper Tells Story Behind Patriotic Photo
More from Inquisitr