In America How Could This Happen?

Story, photos and video by Gabriel McCrea reporting for Friendship News Network at Friendship Public Charter School Online.

NOV. 19, 2020: On Friday, November 13th, 2020, I had the opportunity to interview the artist responsible for thousands of the white flags planted at DC armory, Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg artist of a Covid memorial called How Could This Happen. I went to the area where thousands of surrender flags were planted. At least that's what they looked like to me. It wasn't till I got there that I found out the flags represented 241,949  people who died from Covid 19 in the United States.  

 Then I met the artist, Ms. Firstenberg.  She is from right here in Washington DC. She told me she had help from other Washingtonians to make this project. I felt proud to honor them when my brother and I got to volunteer to place flags. She looked at me a little strangely when I called them to surrender flags. But I believe surrender is when someone gives up power and control, often to save others.  I think it is very sad that these people died because they had no control over a virus. But if it means that I don't have to die, that makes them heroes.  I wonder if that's why the memorial is across from the Armory.  The Armory is where the National Guard is trained to fight for the lives of other Americans like me.

 You can see the memorial before it ends November 30th, by catching the subway or bus to the Stadium-Armory Metro stop.  The address is 2001 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington DC.  Please watch my video with Ms. Firstenberg above.

 Gabriel McCrea is a 4th grade scholar at Friendship Public Charter School Online.