More than 660K white flags are planted for COVID victims on the National Mall ...

More than 660K white flags are planted for COVID victims on the National Mall ...
More than 660K white flags are planted for COVID victims on the National Mall ...

Heartbreaking messages from loved ones to family members killed by COVID fluttered on more than 660,000 white flags placed on the National Mall in Washington on Friday in an art installation that captures the magnitude of the US toll since the pandemic began last year.

Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, a Washington DC artist, and her team of volunteers hand-placed the flags to create the poignant exhibit across 20 acres of land in the center of the nation's capital. 

An aerial view provides a stark picture the toll COVID has taken, but standing among the rows and rows of flags gives visitors a personalized view of the tragedy's depth.

Families of lost ones posted messages on the flags, with some reading, 'I miss you so much mom,' and 'Forever loved, forever missed. Always in our hearts, forever our inspiration.' 

The flags also give families who were not able to have a funeral or a memorial service for their loved one a chance to pay their final respects and be surrounded by others who understand their anguish.

'For Americans who lost a family member to COVID, there will be no normal to go back to,' Firstenberg told Time. 'Encountering a personalized [flag] and then lifting one's gaze across this immense field … I think that will help people understand the magnitude of our loss on both an individual basis and on a national basis.' 

The National Mall's grounds will be filled with white flags to honor COVID-19 victims in a new art installation by Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg

The National Mall's grounds will be filled with white flags to honor COVID-19 victims in a new art installation by Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg

Firstenberg and her team started out with 666,624 flags, but more will be added as the death toll rises. The art piece will stay on the grounds until October 3

Firstenberg and her team started out with 666,624 flags, but more will be added as the death toll rises. The art piece will stay on the grounds until October 3

Firstenberg's installation, titled In America: Remember, will run for 17 days and volunteers will continue to add more flags as more lives are lost. 

The artist began envisioning the tribute in March 2020 as the pandemic settled in with full force across the US. 

She was also spurred to act after Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Americans 'there are more important things than living, and that’s saving this country' in an interview with Tucker Carlson. 

'That really disturbed me. I just felt as though someone had to do something to make a statement that with all these people dying, we had to value each of these lives as well,' she told NPR

'I wanted to focus on my message. My outrage led me.' 

Firstenberg didn't forget those who would not be able to make the trip to DC to leave a hand-written note for their loved ones. 

In partnership with In America Flags, the artist has made it available to families to fill out a form with a message that someone will handwrite for them and place among the others. There is also an interactive map that families who use this option can see where their flag was placed and see a picture of the message on the flag. 

Some of the heart-breaking messages read: 'My father was a kind unique soul. He was my best friend. I was lucky enough to have him in my life. He is dearly missed.' 

Another read: 'My beautiful cousin and

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