Old Glory flies proudly — and in interesting ways

The most visible American flag on Middle Road on Lady’s Island is the one that never waves.

On a grassy embankment in front of a house on the heavily traveled residential road lies a scaled representation of the red, white and blue.

“This is a big military town, and I wanted to recognize all the local military personnel,” said homeowner and flag-creator Rob Byrne. “I really just did it for them.”

Byrne, a landscaper and son of a Marine, designed the flag using frame wood slats for an outline and landscape rocks that were painted red and white. He employed a family friend to help cut out hard Styrofoam into the shape of the stars using a cookie cutter. Together, it took them roughly six hours to complete.

Betsy Ross would be envious.

Their thoughtful labor has paid off in the appreciation of those who drive by daily, including the many retired military who live on the island. Though this Memorial Day marks its first anniversary, Byrne says not a single weed has grown in between the rocks and Styrofoam. If he has his way, the flag will preside over the land of the free forever in peace and in place.

On another side of town, a similarly unique American flag was born in response to terror. After witnessing the towers fall in the September 11, 2001 attacks, Mikie Bertholf began working on a 1,000 origami version of the stars and stripes.

Born and raised in Japan, Bertholf said that in her native country the paper cranes are a symbol of the hope and peace she thought her adopted country desperately needed.

“Instead of putting them in string like the traditional way to display 1,000 cranes, I decided to make an American flag out of them to show my hope for peace in America after the attack,” said Bertholf.

Formulating a plan to fold at least ten cranes a day, it took Bertholf four months to finish folding and another five months to put the creation together in a frame built by her husband, Reece.

Betsy Ross would be inspired.

The lesson of the thousand cranes is now taught to students at Riverview Charter School, where the flag has found a home among the artwork and motivational posters in the hallway. It was displayed throughout Beaufort County Library branches in 2002 and then in the Beaufort Fire Department headquarters before finding its way into the daily view of students and teachers.

“I love seeing kids walk through that hallway and I love when they ask me questions about my flag,” said Bertholf.

It’s those questions – and head turns – that make the representations created by both Byrne and Bertholf worthwhile. But then again, Beaufort has never been at a loss for creative displays of patriotism, especially around Memorial Day.

Betsy Ross would be proud.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 7:30 AM with the headline "Old Glory flies proudly — and in interesting ways."