Follow The Flag Prepares Tribute To Health Care Workers
May 20, 2020, 11:10 PM | Updated: May 21, 2020, 6:44 am
MURRAY, Utah — A massive flag was expected to be unfurled from Intermountain Medical Center on Thursday morning as the latest showing of unity and support for America’s “health care heroes” amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday evening, volunteers and first-responders — including several firefighters from Murray City Fire Department — carried out an important “mission” on a nearby field to ensure the flag would be ready for its deployment.
“We think that everybody kind of needs this right now,” said Follow the Flag founder Kyle Fox. “Everyone needs to be reminded that we’re Americans, we’re in this together and we’ll get through it.”
The flag is 78 feet wide and 150 feet long, and organizers said it needed to be laid out respectfully and then folded “accordion-style” in even folds to ensure it unfurls as planned.
The process appeared to be carried out with almost military-like precision, and Fox likened it to “folding a quarter-acre shirt.”
He said some additional rigging on the roof of the hospital was completed as well to ensure the unfurling goes off without a hitch.
Jordan Fairbanks said he hoped the message to healthcare workers was clear.
“Thank you,” Fairbanks said simply. “They’re amazing people.”
Fox echoed similar sentiments.
“You realize that these people are putting a lot on the line for us just to keep us healthy and alive,” Fox said. “They do need to be reminded how much we appreciate it.”
The Follow the Flag organization, which is comprised of volunteers, has previously displayed the flag to inspire communities, show patriotism and unity and honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.
The unfurling event was expected to take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Intermountain Medical Center.
“It’s kind of amazing to see it come to life!” Fox said.
