GRESHAM, Ore. – A 13-year-old boy was told to change his T-shirt or face discipline at his middle school.
Alan Holmes' shirt included the image of a gun, which school leaders said is not allowed.
But the boy and his family argued the rifle is shown with boots and a helmet, in what is recognized as the battle field cross for fallen soldiers, and is meant to support the troops. The shirt said "Standing for those who stood for us."
"It's not standing for violence, I tell you that much," Holmes said. "It's standing for the memorial for the soldiers, who have died for us and our freedom, and I 100 percent support them because they're supporting us."
In a brief statement to KGW, Gresham-Barlow School District spokeswoman Athena Vadnais wrote "… we have a policy on student dress and grooming. Weapons on a shirt are not appropriate in a school setting".
Holmes on Wednesday said he was told by the vice principal at Dexter McCarty Middle School to put on a different shirt or face an in-school suspension. Holmes decided to keep the shirt on and call his father to take him home.
Since then the story has spread on social media, and national news organizations are calling the Holmes family.
