A 'Rallying Cry' For The Coronavirus Fight Born In Wayland

WAYLAND, MA — During times of national crisis, certain images can become a rallying point — be it firefighters raising a flag at ground zero, or Rosie the Riveter during World War II.

Two Wayland residents have come up with an image they hope will be the rallying point for the first-responders fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Tara Duffy and Bucky Lewis are selling flags with their rallying cry and donating the profits to first-responders.

According to Duffy, the couple felt the world needed a tangible symbol to rally around, especially with so many people isolated at home. They chose the caduceus symbol — the snake wrapped around a pole with wings — because it symbolizes medicine, but it has also been used as a symbol for commerce and science. The flags bear the slogan "We stand together."

"It's about the community being resilient," Duffy said.

Duffy and Lewis are working with Annin Flags in New Jersey to produce flags in different sizes, but also yard signs, and soon ribbons. All profits from the sales of the items will go toward local first responders — for example, if someone buys a flag for the Wayland Fire Department, the proceeds would go toward that department's firefighters and paramedics.

"It automatically buoys them," Lewis said, referring to a front-line worker who might see the symbol while heading to work.

Duffy and Lewis are known across New England for their TV show, "Wicked Yankee TV," which spotlights farmers, fishermen, and other people doing interesting work. Lewis is a former EMT, and the couple has done fundraisers for police and fire departments across New England in the past.

Since starting the effort last month, they have sold hundreds of flags that are now flying at banks, stores, and fire stations across the region. The first one was delivered to the New London, NH, fire department, and flags are either at or on their way to fire departments in Watertown, Sudbury, and Hudson.

Duffy has even shipped one to a lawmaker she knows in Canada, and hopes it will soon fly at the National Assembly of Quebec.

"We're trying to support the everyday hero," Duffy said. "And that's why we like the flag — it's a rallying cry."