670,000+ Flags Are Planted on the National Mall To Commemorate American Lives Lost to COVID-19

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As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, one artist is using her creativity to express her sadness for all the lives that have been lost. Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg is a Washington, D.C.-based artist who actively creates work that touches on social issues. Her latest installation is one of her largest to date—over 670,000 white flags planted on the National Mall to symbolize the American lives lost to the coronavirus.

Her journey to the National Mall began in March 2020, as COVID-19 began to make a mark on the United States. At the time, there were debates about keeping the economy running versus implementing restrictions to dampen the spread of the virus. “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,” Firstenberg told NPR.

That led to her initial installation last fall next to RFK Stadium, where she and a team of volunteers placed 267,080 white flags. Unfortunately, as the number of deaths continues to grow, so does the installation. Titled In America. How Could This Happen… the flags are intended to mirror the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

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At the time, Firstenberg also called on those who had lost loved ones to come and personalize flags. This led to an even more poignant section of the installation and some of those flags have now been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

With her invitation to bring the installation to the National Mall, Firstenberg has turned her outrage over the handling of the coronavirus into a moving memorial. Once again, people have been invited to personalize flags and those who cannot do so in person are welcome to fill out a form so that a volunteer can write their message on a flag for them.

The sheer scope of the installation is difficult to capture in images, and as the number of deaths, unfortunately, continues to climb, more flags will be planted. In fact, Firstenberg had to order more flags after she realized that the initial 630,000 she had on hand wouldn't be enough. For her, the time and dedication to the cause is well worth it to acknowledge all those who have been lost and to remind us that these victims are more than just a statistic.

“So many of these deaths happened in isolation without acknowledgment,” she said. “When I had an opportunity to bring it to the National Mall, even though it's an immensely greater task, there was no hesitation. I knew I needed to do it.”

In America. How Could This Happen… is on view at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. until October 3, 2021.

Over 670,000 white flags have been placed on the National Mall to represent the American lives lost to COVID-19.

This art installation on 20 acres of the National Mall includes 660,000+ white plastic flags, commemorating Americans who have died of COVID. pic.twitter.com/ixYrhPDp1g

— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) September 19, 2021

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Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg created a similar installation last fall outside of Washington, D.C.'s RFK Stadium.

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Firstenberg wanted to ensure that those lost in isolation would not be forgotten.

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“If we don’t manifest it physically, people will not understand.” – @sbfirstenberg
So honored to have met you today. On behalf of mine and 660K+ additional grieving families, thank you for @inamericaflags. pic.twitter.com/8kKjRa37hU

— Bethany Young Hardy (@bethanyhardy) September 19, 2021