Wheelchair-bound teen shames anthem protesters
A Florida teenager with spina bifida was caught on camera shaming athletes who sit for the national anthem — using his arms to proudly “stand” from his wheelchair as the American flag passed by him during a parade.
Arek Trenholm, 16, has become a social media sensation after his uncle Myron Leggett, a professional photographer, snapped a picture of the patriotic act and posted it to his Facebook page on Oct. 14.
The image shows the teen pushing himself up on his own at a local high school’s homecoming parade as the junior ROTC color guard approaches with the Stars and Stripes.
“To all of ‘Those’ that refuse to stand for the Flag of the United States of America…this is my nephew Arek Trenholm, he has “spina bifida” he used his arms to ‘STAND’ from his wheelchair as our Flag passed by!!” Leggett wrote in the description of the photo, which has been shared more than 500 times on Facebook.
“He will never be able to ‘play’ football, if he could, he would ‘Stand’ as the flag passed or when the ‘National Anthem’ is played. Take a lesson!”
The football comment refers to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been choosing to sit during the national anthem as a protest over the treatment of African-Americans. He has also inspired several others to do so in recent weeks.
The decision to try to stand for the first time in seven years to pay his respects had social media users lauding Trenholm, who hails from Leesburg, Florida, about an hour northwest of Orlando.
“Arek, I am a US Navy veteran who spent three years in Iraq and Afghanistan…and I just want you to know that you are MY hero,” wrote Facebook user Sean Holden.
Maureen Huebel added, “Mr. Leggett — I am the adult child of a Disabled Veteran and also the reigning Mrs. Florida USA Earth. Please send my kuddos to your nephew Arek and let him know it would be an honor to shake his hand someday.”
The teen told WOFL FOX 35 that he ultimately stood last week because he “didn’t want to be disrespectful.”
“I always stand up when … they do the flag,” he said solemnly.
According to his family, Trenholm was born with spina bifida — a congenital condition that affects the development of the spinal cord.
While his patriotism has inspired countless strangers from across the country, his biggest fan may, in fact, be his uncle.
“He’s making that effort, where so many … that have legs, that could stand, are sitting or kneeling,” Legget told WOFL. “And not using their ‘well legs’ to stand and respect those who have fought and died for our flag and for our country.”
24 comments:
That's an American.
"I used to get goose bumps every time I looked at that flag. When I was a kid, sitting alone in the room playing the radio...if they ever played the National Anthem I stood up all alone in the room. I stood at attention. Don't sell me America! Now they're making jock straps out of the flag."
The Jack Lemmon character in Save The Tiger.
I would stand for that kid.
Doesn't matter, he's white.
What is up with the "quotation marks" in that story? "Spina difida" does not need quotes.
Sure, the single quotes and upper case "T" on 'Those' makes perfect sense. We are not one of 'Them'.
That Sixty, he's such a throwback with his persnickety insistence on accuracy he he he........
I'm sorry the kid is physically disabled but I fail to see how his being unable to stand on his feet makes his disagreement with the protestors any more valid.
You don't see that a kid with that disability would struggle to stand and show his respect for the flag shames those rich pampered athletes who shit on the Flag on 911?
Just like the kid who didn't join the crowd when the whole team stayed in the locker room this kid did something that cost him. He deserves our respect and appreciation. They put something on the line. It is easy for me to spout off behind the computer screen but kid did something that cost him physical pain to show his respect.
I understand why you don't get it.
But I think many other people do.
I fail to see how his being unable to stand on his feet makes his disagreement with the protestors any more valid.
Perhaps not more valid but certainly more dramatic. It is easy for you (I suppose) and I to stand on our feet. It is very difficult for this young man, yet HE made the difficult effort to do so in protest of those who refuse, won't or ignore.
Just today to illustrate how Blue Lives Matter is a thing out in the rural fly over country and why the NFL is losing viewers: In a nearby County a Deputy Sheriff was killed while responding to a domestic violence call. Today there was a caravan of police, sheriff, fire depts, marshals, EMTs and any all representatives of first responders who daily put themselves into harms way. They were following the vehicle that was transporting him to the cemetery for his internment. As much as 110 miles away for some of the people. There were at least 30 or more vehicles going on the main Highway through our little town and will be going through a few more before getting to the destination.
People lined up along the highway in the rural areas at their driveway ends. Lined up in town on the sides of the road....we have no sidewalks. The elementary school and the high school escorted their students to also stand beside the road and show respect. The members of the VFW and other veterans groups stood and saluted.
This is normal for our area and should be normal everywhere. That it isn't shows the deep deep gulf and divide between the people and the urban elitist. It is also showing the reason that Trump is resonating. Respect for law. Respect for Country. Respect for those who try to enforce the laws. Respect for others. Self respect. Self reliance All things that are being destroyed by the left while they laugh at us and call us names.
The "parade" was chilling and awe inspiring. The vehicles with their lights slowly following their murdered comrade. It brought many to tears, even though we didn't know the officer. He represented and represents something important that we are losing.
Thanks for writing that, DBQ - that's the America I remember.
"It is easy for me to spout off behind the computer screen......."
Me too. And I'm not gonna stop!
Is a little levity such a terrible thing? :^o
Well this is Lem's Levity after all.
Except when Chip posts. Then it is Lem's Leviticus.
Don't support them with your money and they will get in line right quick. I'd like to see how many NFL players are willing to throw it all away for their politics.
Versus how many fans are willing to do the same.
I think we can agree that the players protesting whatever-it-is-they're-protesting by disobeying the custom of standing for the national anthem before a football game are wrong-headed dopes.
In Godfather II, Frank Pantangeli complains that the Rosato brothers are "taking hostages."
Broadly construed, that's what the protesting NFL players are doing and I think it obscene, FWIW.
Trooper York said...
Except when Chip posts. Then it is Lem's Leviticus.
I'll be honest with you and Chip too. I stay away from Chip's posts. Not because I don't like them, but because I'll become enthralled by them and go down into he google research hole and never see air again.
Well I have fully committed to it. I have given all of my Giants gear to St Vincent De Paul. Some fat homeless guy is going to be wearing an autographed size 50 Jim Burt jersey for Thanksgiving at the soup kitchen.
I think any player that doesn't stand for the Anthem has every right to that. And his team should cut him then and there.
That vintage Giants gear could have gone on Ebay. But if some fat homeless guy gets it, well then he gets it!
The photo bears a striking resemblance to this one.
Joe Biden said: "Hey kid, let's play some ball. I'll be Kapernick. You go long."
But "seriously", who "writes" like "that"? It "makes" more "sense" if you "read" it in your "Dr. Evil" "voice".
Or maybe like "this".
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