Texas father goes viral standing guard outside son’s elementary school after Uvalde massacre: ‘I’m watching’
(Video Credit: Fox & Friends First)
An Army veteran spoke with Fox News on the viral photo that shows him steadfastly standing guard at his son’s school following the Uvalde, Texas massacre.
“I said I would just be out there unarmed to let people know that I’m watching. Let the parents have a little bit of relief,” Ed Chelby said in an interview with a KWTX.
“I can’t let this go,” he declared. “This is just a testament to the sleeplessness caused by the grief I experienced.”
The central Texas father who also has a background in security spoke with “Fox & Friends First” on Monday to discuss the picture of him protecting the entrance to the elementary school where his son attends and his wife works.
Chelby lives in Killeen, which is about 180 miles northeast of Uvalde. His son’s school is Saegert Elementary School.
Fox News host Todd Piro welcomed Chelby and asked him about the decision to stand guard. “That vet, Ed Chelby joins us now. Ed, I had the same thought last week. I said, ‘I work mornings. I’ll take the afternoon shift at my kids’ school when they end up going there.’ Why did you make this a reality?”
Ed Chelby at Saegert Elementary KILLEEN, Texas ‘I can’t let this go’: Father stands guard at daughter’s school in wake of mass shooting.
God bless this man & all he does. This is the step in the right direction. 😊❤🙏 Step up parents. It's OUR children.💪 pic.twitter.com/p2mflaGAH1— 1 Welsh Rose (@BeeSue64687496) May 27, 2022
“Well, I just knew with my background in security and my background in the military that I had the skillset to actually provide some sort of security. I do live right across the street on the backside of the school. I have a son that goes there, my wife is one of the registered nurses there. I just felt overly compelled with my availability to step forward and do something. I think that’s the first thing any of us can do in the path forward is take the first step,” he commented.
“Yeah, and with your family there I couldn’t imagine how that makes you feel and the security of knowing that you’re there if something were to happen,” co-host Ashley Strohmier said. “I want to read you this quote. It was a mother whose child attends the school, saying, ‘Him standing in front of the school, that’s reassuring. Feeling that we get to go home and see our families this summer.’ I want you to react to that and how that makes you feel knowing that you’re giving these people and these families just the feeling of security… your presence being there,”
“Yeah, that was the whole point of me being there. I mean, selfishly it was for myself as well, for the ease of my own son, my wife, her co-workers, and the other children. I coach baseball in the community and a lot of the students I’ve also coached in baseball. And then the parents, they were feeling the same anxiety I was the night before and the day of and to be out there and provide them some sort of ease, knowing that somebody was out there watching. I would do it all over again,” Chelby asserted.
Please say thanks to this fine gentleman that volunteered today to stand watch at a Texas school. We need more like him. 🙌🙌🙌
Saegert Elementary ❤️🤟 Killeen Texas pic.twitter.com/aMauIkyd9b
— Blue Starr (@bluestarrfl) May 26, 2022
“To follow up on Ashley’s question, she asked the reaction from parents… what’s been the reaction from students seeing you there?” Piro asked.
“Some of them were kind of wondering why I was still standing there and they kind of look back at me. In the end, after the picture had gone viral and the parents were letting them know who I was and what I was doing there, it was just super heartwarming. A lot of the kids coming up to me and giving me a hug and it’s hard not to get emotional knowing what happened with Uvalde and then having the reaction of the parents. But then when a child comes up to you and just gives you a hug it just warms your heart beyond belief,” Chelby replied.
Thank you Ed Chelby of Killeen, TX for volunteering to stand guard outside Saegert Elementary school. God bless you sir. pic.twitter.com/7fEz6UA3Yt
— DW🇺🇲🇺🇲💚💚 (@DW50033896) May 29, 2022
“And Eddie, you’re a veteran yourself so tell us and America what your message is on this Memorial Day,” Strohmier said.
“Well, I’d say that on Memorial Day we’re supposed to be honoring those who gave their ultimate sacrifice in defense of American ideas and our freedoms and there’s no better way to do that than to honor them by moving forward, taking a stand on action and just really honoring them by doing something for your community. They gave us their sacrifice for their country and the very first step is within our own communities. So let’s start there,” Chelby concluded.
Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Dem elitist mayor living like royalty mocked for hilariously corrupt antics: ‘Real life Parks & Rec’ - January 5, 2024
- Pelosi says states, not voters, should be able to decide who is on a ballot - January 5, 2024
- Whoopi blasts rumors she’s on Epstein’s list, says she’s listed on ‘fake’ one - January 5, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
