The "Honoring Those Who Have Died Of COVID-19" Story.

It was an ordinary day.  Driving north on Route 272 on my way to the appliance store.  The road is also known as Oregon Pike and within 5 minutes I passed a Lancaster County farm known as Oregon Dairy which also  includes a large grocery store.  30 seconds later I noticed to my right, in a grassy field, a multitude of small American flags covering the field from one end to the other, flying freely in the afternoon breeze.  Also, a very large sign that read, "215,000+ We Honor".  Then I remembered reading about it a few days ago in the local newspaper.  Story told about the striking display of flags and banner that were placed on the site by about two dozen friends and family members of Marolyn Davenport, who owns the parcel of ground with her sister Mary Blakinger.  Marolyn had said, "We wanted to honor the hundreds of thousands of people who have died of COVID and wanted to commemorate this to their families, and especially those who have died alone.  

It's a national tragedy."  The group of friends, including some children, "planted" 2,155 flags which represents one for nearly every 100 people who have died of COVID in the United States.  At the time of the story in the newspaper, there were 438 deaths from the virus in Lancaster County and more that 220,000 deaths in the United States as well as 1.12 million deaths in the world.  I pulled over to take a few photographs and was amazed at the amount of cars that noticed the display and honked their horns to recognize the display and send their own messages.  Since that day I have driven past the display a few more times and was amazed by it each time.  More flags will not be added, but Marolyn said, "I think everyone realizes that the deaths are continuing.

 A second story also was posted in the Lancaster Newspaper that day that was delivered by Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Wolfe.  He ordered all commonwealth flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the 2020 Novel Coronavirus pandemic.  He also said, "Too many Pennsylvanians have lost their lives to COVID-19, and unfortunately, many more will die.  Already we have lost friends, parents, grandparents and siblings.  We have lost first responders.  We have lost community members.  Each deserves to be honored individually for their contributions to our commonwealth, but this cruel disease will not give us a respite to mourn.  This virus prevents us from honoring the dead at traditional gatherings.  We cannot have funerals, wakes, or sit shiva.  I hope this flag lowering provides some solace to the grieving families and friends.  And, I hope it serves as a reminder of the reason for the sacrifices Pennsylvanians are making to help their community survive this crisis."

Both these stories and display of flags hopefully will let those who have lost loved ones or suffered with the virus know that we are all thinking of them.  We can only hope that the virus will meet it's end soon!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.