Guests at Fellowship Hall prior to October 2007 may recall a rather rusted and slightly leaning flagpole out front and, depending on the year and/or time of year, American and North Carolina flags that had seen better days. Then again, given the reasons the guests were there, they may not have noticed it at all. But one guest did take notice, and once he got his life back in order, he took it upon himself to do something about it.

Don Comer spent 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 1978, so it should come as no surprise that love of country runs deep for him, and with it, a reverence for the symbol of that love. He is a flag-waver in the best sense of the word, and not ashamed to admit it.

When his daughter, brother and sister-in-law held an intervention for him on February 8, 2004, this man who'd made a career fighting for his country, earning a Purple Heart from his tour in Vietnam in 1965, didn't have any fight left in him.

"My daughter, Laura, said, 'We've tried everything else, so we've made arrangements for you to go to Fellowship Hall,' and I didn't even try to fight it," recalled Don. "When I walked in that front door, I felt like I'd come home. I just had this warm feeling. I guess I was ready." Don completed the program and, at the behest of his counselor, Mike Allen, transitioned into the Gateway House for another three weeks.

"That was a good experience, too," he said. "I highly
recommend it."

By then, Don's attachment to the Hall was such that he felt the urge to give something back to the facility by volunteering. But he soon wanted to take it a step further, and the thought of that tattered flag and rusty flagpole gave him the answer.

"I broached the subject with the Director of Development at the time, and Rodney (Hall President Battles)," recalled Don. "They agreed that something needed to be done, so I just said I'd handle it. I'm kind of a hands-on guy, anyway."

He's also a can-do guy. And he did.

He started by ensuring the new 40' pole would remain vertical by digging a much deeper hole and pouring 1,000 lbs. of concrete in it. Next he found a company in nearby Hillsborough that manufactures flags and purchased a good quantity of them.

"Enough to get a price break," he quipped.

Not long after that, Fellowship Hall changed its logo (to the gold shield with the script initials "FH" inside it), and Don hinted to Rodney, "Wouldn't it be nice if the Hall had its own flag
out there?"

Rodney took the hint and, again, Don took it upon himself to make it happen, finding a company that makes customized flags.

"I replace them all twice a year," he said. "They used to take them down every night, but with the spotlight shining on them at night, it really looks good to leave them up."

Don, mind you, has been doing all this out of pocket, saying succinctly, "Best money I ever spent."

But lately Rodney and Director of Development Murphy Sullivan began formulating a way not only to relieve him of the financial burden, but ensure that the flags remain pristine
in perpetuity.


"None of this was his idea," stressed Murphy. "He never said a thing about it, and never would, but we just decided that we needed some sort of 'flag fund' to give former guests a way to give back by earmarking their gift for it." Rodney made a presentation to the Board of Directors at its September meeting, and an endowment for the flag fund was approved.

"This is still Don's baby," said Rodney. "He will still administer it; he just won't have to worry about paying for it. But mainly, after seeing what an improvement it made to the appearance of the Hall, and just because it's the right thing to do to keep the flags in good condition, we wanted to make this a permanent thing. This gives others an opportunity to give something back, as well. We can't thank Don enough for all he's done. I wish we could clone him."

For more information about the flag fund or other gifting opportunities, please contact Murphy Sullivan, Director of
Development, at: 336.621.3381 or
murphys@fellowshiphall.com.