Solidarity in times of crisis
Local residents look to American flag as symbol of gratitude and unity
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
Local residents Bev Macsherry, and Genie Sullivan launched a campaign to encourage the community to fly American flags through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Town of Black Mountain responded by placing four American flags at the intersection of N.C. 9 and U.S. 70. Fred McCormick
Like many Americans isolated in their houses amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Bev Macsherry wanted to find a way to support the effort to slow the rapidly spreading contagion.
“I felt so helpless,” said the Black Mountain resident, less than 24 hours after Buncombe County issued a stay-at-home order preventing all non-essential activities for at least two weeks. “We all feel so helpless sequestered in our homes, and what better way to show our support than to have an American flag flying.”
The idea came to Macsherry when she walked into her garden shed last week and noticed the eight yard flags that she normally puts out by her fence.
“It had been driving me nuts trying to think of what I could do to show my appreciation to all of these people doing so much, risking their own lives and putting their families in danger, too,” she said.
Macsherry purchased 10 flags and attached a note to each one, asking neighbors to place them in front of their mailboxes. Her friend Genie Sullivan was eager to be involved.
“I spent close to $100 on flags in town,” Sullivan said. “I bought all they had at Town Hardware, Tractor Supply and Ace Hardware in Swannanoa.”
Sullivan approached several local businesses about placing the small flags in planters adjacent to their buildings.
“I remember after 9/11, there were American flags all over the place,” she said. “Well, we’re in a different kind of war right now, and I think this is a great way to show that we stand together in this tough time.”
Swannanoa Valley businesses and residents are flying American flags to in a show of solidarity and gratitude during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fred McCormick
Not only is the gesture meant to show solidarity in times of crisis, Macsherry said, but it sends a message of appreciation.
“You think of all those nurses, doctors, paramedics, grocery store clerks, police, firefighters, mail carriers, everybody who is still out there working,” she said. “This is one way I can tell them thank you, by flying this flag.”
The Town of Black Mountain agreed.
“I called the town and I had no idea what they would say,” Macsherry said. “About 15 minutes later, I got a call from (Town Manager) Josh Harrold and he, along with (Mayor) Don Collins, thought it was a great idea.”
Two days later, the town installed a flag on each corner of the intersection of N.C. 9 and U.S. 70.
Macsherry hopes more area residents will be inspired to fly the American flag after seeing more pop up around the community. For now, as the nation faces weeks of uncertainty in the coming weeks, it’s all many can do.
“It’s been amazing and everyone I’ve talked to about it has been so excited,” Sullivan said. “It’s a reminder that this is going to end, and we will be fine.”