Bud Byers built a tribute to those who keep us, and the nation, safe

Bud Byers, 78, may live on Tiney Road near Ellenboro, but there's nothing tiny about his love of our nation and especially those who protect and defend it. Taking those feelings to the next level, Byers has created a memorial on his farm that stops nearly everyone who sees it in their tracks.

Tiney Road is a winding stretch of pavement bordered by fields and forest. To get to Byers' property you drive along about half a mile wondering what to expect in the middle of nowhere. Then, after rounding a blind curve you suddenly see a stunning sight on top of a hill in the middle of an acre of carefully cut grass. The scene is a sea of flags flapping in the breeze. In addition to the flags, there are rose bushes, flowers, silhouette figures of soldiers, and more. The effect is mesmerizing and awe inspiring.

"I started the memorial in a vegetable patch several years ago," Byers, a retired Yellow Freight driver, said. "The first flags I put up were the U.S. and POW ones."

From that simple beginning, the memorial grew into its current glory.

"I decided I was going to do it right," Byers said.

Flags currently flying at the memorial run the patriotic gamut. Being a U.S. Air Force veteran, Byers made sure to include flags for the different branches of the military service. One of the most striking portions of the memorial is an Iwo Jima tribute with a silhouette and flag similar to the U.S. Marines Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"Ten thousand Marines died on Iwo Jima," Byers said.

His main U.S, flag is one that flew over the Capitol in Washington. A NC state flag flies just below. Other flags honor veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars, the 101st and 82nd Airborne, and Disabled American Veterans. A section of the memorial has flags devoted to police, fire, and EMS.

People send Byers flags and other patriotic things. Several small "praying soldier" silhouette figures appeared as if by magic one night. Speaking of evening, the memorial is illuminated, lending even more drama to it in the pitch black countryside.

Then there are the people who come to see what Byers has made.

Dignitaries include US Rep. Patrick McHenry and other local officials, but it's the veterans that touch Byers the most.

"Some of them stand here looking at the flags and start crying," he said. "One time a lady brought her father who had his feet badly frostbitten in the Korean War. He could barely stand but she took a photo of him with the flags to send to her son in the Air Force. Her father died two weeks later."

Byers says other folks driving by simply stop and stare or take photos.

But Byers isn't seeking fame for himself with the memorial as bait.

"This isn't about me," he said. "Nothing is more important than our country."

As for the future of the memorial, Byers says that when he gets too "old" to keep it up his son Philip will take over.

Byers is offering an open arms invitation to anyone from anywhere to come see the memorial.

"I would love to say that anyone is welcome to come visit," he said.

The physical address is 1466 Tiney Road, Ellenboro, phone 828-245-9039.

Be prepared to be filled with reverence and awe.