WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed.

"I've worn it for well over a year and I support my country and God," Trevor Keezor said Tuesday. "I was just doing what I think every American should do, just love my country."

The American flag button Keezer wore in the Florida store since March 2008 says "One nation under God, indivisible."

Earlier this month, he began bringing a Bible to read during his lunch break at the store in the rural town of Okeechobee, about 140 miles north of Miami. That's when he says The Home Depot management told him he would have to remove the button.

Keezer refused, and he was fired on Oct. 23, he said.

"It feels kind of like a punishment, like I was punished for just loving my country," Keezer said.

A Home Depot spokesman said Keezer was fired because he violated the company's dress code.

"This associate chose to wear a button that expressed his religious beliefs. The issue is not whether or not we agree with the message on the button," Craig Fishel said. "That's not our place to say, which is exactly why we have a blanket policy, which is long-standing and well-communicated to our associates, that only company-provided pins and badges can be worn on our aprons."

Fishel said Keezer was offered a company-approved pin that said, "United We Stand," but he declined.

Keezer's lawyer, Kara Skorupa, said she planned to sue the Atlanta-based company.

"There are federal and state laws that protect against religious discrimination," Skorupa said. "It's not like he was out in the aisles preaching to people."

Keezer said he was working at the store to earn money for college, and wore the button to support his country and his 27-year-old brother, who is in the National Guard and is set to report in December for a second tour of duty in Iraq.

Skorupa noted the slogan on Keezer's pin is straight from the Pledge of Allegiance.

"These mottos and sayings that involve God, that's part of our country and historical fabric," Skorupa said. "In God we trust is on our money."

Michael Masinter, a civil rights and employment law professor at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, said any lawsuit over religious discrimination might be a tough one to win.

"Because it's a private business, not one that's owned and operated by the government, it doesn't have to operate under the free speech provisions of the First Amendment," Masinter said.

"But we're not talking about religious displays here," he said. "This sounds more like a political message ... Wearing a button of that sort would not easily be described as a traditional form of religious expression like wearing a cross or wearing a yarmulke."

Arthur Blank grew up in Flushing, New York, with his father, Max, his mother, Molly, and his older brother, Michael. Blank graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City[1] and went on to attend Babson College, where he graduated in 3 years in 1963 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He also received an honorary degree from Furman University, where the Falcons held training camp until 2002.

After graduating from Babson College, Blank was hired by Handy Dan Hardware, and worked his way up through the company to become a regional manager. He was fired in 1978 for a disagreement with executives.

In 1978, Blank co-founded Home Depot with Bernie Marcus, another former Handy Dan manager. New York investment banker Ken Langone assembled the initial group of investors. The store revolutionized the home improvement business with its warehouse concept and Blank and Marcus became billionaires as a result. Blank spent 19 years as the company's chief financial officer before succeeding Marcus as CEO. Blank retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman.

In February 2002, Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise in the National Football League from longtime owner Rankin Smith. In September 2004, he bought the Arena Football League franchise, the Georgia Force; he moved the team back to the city of Atlanta after it had spent several years in suburban Gwinnett County.

Blank has expressed serious interest in purchasing other Atlanta franchises. In early 2006, he temporarily withdrew from contention as a potential buyer of the Major League Baseball team Atlanta Braves. Some months later, Blank re-entered serious talks with Time Warner and a report indicated that a sale was imminent.[1] However, in February 2007, the Braves completed the sale of the team to Liberty Media. Blank has also spoke of purchasing an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer. Atlanta is currently being considered for MLS expansion.

Blank is the Chairman, President, and CEO of AMB Group, LLC, and the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Emory University. He is married and he and his wife Stephanie have six children and two grandchildren. As of September 17, 2008, his net worth was estimated at $1.3 billion. Blank was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2009, Blank was named Georgia Speaker of the Year by the Barkley Forum debating society of Emory University. He and his wife reside in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, along with their three youngest children. A strong believer in work-life balance, Blank still makes time daily for working out and spending time with family.

You live near Altoona? You are not that far from me. Well, about 2 and a half hours away. I live just north of Pittsburgh in a little town called Ambridge.

Last Edited on 29-Oct-2009 7:28 AM

I know where your town's at. Someone from Ambridge got my cell number by mistake. They were going to have a youth meeting or Bible study? Anyway, my wife and I prayed for them and told them we loved them in Christ and wished them success in Christ Jesus. Never heard how the meeting went.

Takes me about two-fifteen to get to Pittsburgh ... with my wife driving! My wife has a daughter, two sisters and a couple brothes at there.

A certain brother on here, who lives about 45 minutes away, came to Altoona. He "mailed" me AFTER he came. Whadda ya think of a guy like that? He (may) have even gone to the Olive Garden, my wife's favorite chow place. (I woulda made him pay. LOL)

bill

Last Edited on 29-Oct-2009 5:52 PM