A flag waves from the banks of the Brunswick River. How did it get there? | MyReporter
An American flag waves to motorists from its home on the edge of the Brunswick River.
The flag is visible to the tens of thousands of people who cross the bridge on U.S. 74 between Brunswick and New Hanover counties each day. With no obvious access to land, a StarNews reader wrote to MyReporter (myreporter@starnewsonline.com) and asked how the flag came to be in that location and who maintains it.
How did it get there?
On July 4, 2011, Tim Wilson of Leland took his boat into the river and stuck the flag into the ground. Wilson explained his son was in the U.S. military serving in Iraq at that time, and he had a relative who fought in World War II and succumbed to his wounds. He placed the flag by the river in honor of those serving and those who had served.
Over the next five years, Wilson maintained the flag, replacing it whenever it became worn. But in 2016, he sold his boat.
Who maintains it now?
From time to time, Wilson said he had a few people give him rides to the site to replace the flag. However, he noticed even when he couldn’t replace the flag himself, someone continued to maintain it.
In a StarNews article, dated July 3, 2012, Wilson said he didn’t know who had been maintaining the flag, but he “would love to shake their hand.” Earlier this year, Wilson said it has been a group of people, and he’s had the opportunity to meet some of them.
“They’re all civilians,” he said. “Patriots of America, like us.”
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What's the site called?
Wilson explained he began referring to the site as “Point Gentry,” in honor of his ancestor who died after being wounded in the Battle of Normandy. Since then, the name has caught on, and others now call it “Point Gentry.”
Wilson said these days, as he drives past the flag with his 11-year-old grandson, the two salute.
“It’s not protocol, but we want to pay our respects,” Wilson said.
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at RSpencer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Who maintains the flag on the Brunswick River?
