Coronavirus: American flags a rallying cry in fight against insidious malady

GREENE COUNTY — The flying of more than 350 American flags throughout Beavercreek, Xenia and Fairborn is helping to spread a feeling of unity in the fight against COVID-19.

The flags were put up this past weekend by the Greene Optimists Club at the request of Gov. Mike DeWine, who asked anyone with an American flag to fly it as a symbol of togetherness during the pandemic.

The club responded to DeWine’s request, stepping away from its usual “Avenue of Flags” program where American flags are flown to celebrate the nation on the five flag holidays -- Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day.

The club began sending out flags as part of DeWine’s request, and the early push has increased requests to the club for flags.

“We had to scramble to put together more flags,” Mike Bevis, co-founder and club vice president, told News Center 7′s Ronnell Hunt on Monday night. “We’ve had people coming out on their front porch and yelling and applauding us, saying thank you. It’s a heart warming thing that is really helpful in times like this.”

Bevis said, “Any money we raise for the ‘Avenue of Flags’ goes back into the community. "For example, scholarships. We put money back into the Beavercreek parks. We have given money to the ‘shoes for the shoeless.’ "

Dayton resident Angela Allen calls the flags a sign of hope.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you have -- so the flag is just a reminder that we are in this together," she said.

© 2020 Cox Media Group