These days, it often feels like public shows of patriotism are becoming fewer and far between. That’s why it’s so heartwarming that a photo is going viral this week showing two boys display pride in their country in a truly touching way.

Roseboro Fire Department Chaplain Bobby Herring over his North Carolina fire station earlier this month when two boys who were playing nearby on scooters stopped dead in their tracks. The two boys proceeded to put their hands on their hearts and recite the Pledge of Allegiance as Herring raised the flag.

“This afternoon as Chaplain Herring was raising the U.S. flag to full staff, he looked over to the intersection and saw these two young people standing there with hands on their heart saying the pledge of allegiance,” the station posted alongside the photo on Facebook. “Permission was granted to use this picture that was hurriedly taken. God bless our community.”

“It really touched my heart,” Herring said.

The photo has quickly gone viral, being liked over 10,000 times!

“This is beautiful the parents should be proud of these two young boys,” one social media user commented, with another adding, “I tip my hat to those guys. You are bigger men than most adults. Your mom and dad brought y’all up right to respect people and the flag y’all will go places.”

“I love this picture!! Their hand over their heart and the fact they are outside is awesome!” a third user added. “Nice to see kids enjoying the outdoors instead of video games or tv inside.”

We applaud these two young men for showing their pride in their country in such a public and beautiful way!