Brent Mai didn't think anything of it, the farmer got out of his tractor to inspect his vehicle when he noticed that something was happening next to his field and although he couldn't hear the National Anthem he realized what was happening so he put his hand over his heart.
Next door the Vallivue High School girls soccer team stood united while the Star Spangled Banner started to play, the team noticed the farmer who stopped what he was doing to pay his respects to the flag.
"It gives me chills just thinking about it still," said Vallivue soccer player Renae Sanchez. "It was such a simple gesture, but it meant so much and touched so many people out there."
Wendy Boyer captured this moment and since posting this iconic picture it has gone viral spreading across social media, something that came as a surprise to everybody including Brent Mai.
"It has been a little overwhelming I didn't expect anybody to take a picture for one," said Mai. "All of a sudden I'm getting messages from people all over the country and veterans thanking me for standing for the flag."
But sometimes the simplest gestures can have the biggest impact and the girls on the soccer team say they will never forget the moment they shared with the farmer.
"It was really cool to figure out how similar he is to us," said Sanchez. "He's a role model for me because he did that."
It made the team want to do something in return, the Vallivue seniors grew up playing together and last year they made it to state for the first time in 13 years, they play their final home game on October 2 and Brent Mai will be there to watch.
"We want to show him he's part of our family now," said Sanchez. "We are excited to present him with a token of our appreciation, of our respect."
The team will give Mai a Vallivue shirt and a framed photo so the farmer will always be able to remember this American moment.
"I will never forget Brent the farmer," said Elizabeth Gonzalez.
