A Beautiful Syria Where There Is No Al-Asaad and Unwarranted Death
Syria… the name applies to two very different locations on the planet. Ask people about Syria, and most people recognize the name as being a country in the Middle East. However, it may surprise you to know that it’s also the name of a city in the state of Virginia.
And, just as their locations are different so are their conditions.
The Syria in the Middle East is constantly under battle – death is around every corner at any given time. There is always an explosive barrel of some type waiting to go off and explode. This is what I call the “land of fragmentation and gunpowder sprouts.”
The Syria in Virginia is far different with people who have joyful expressions on their face and where children’s laughter is regarded as music, playing throughout the city. The city is known for its apple tree.
As Arab Syria prepares to mark its 8th anniversary of the revolution, American Syria will hold its 49th anniversary of its yearly apple harvest with children joyfully and happily dancing around the lakes that envelop the tiny U.S. town.
The world is saddened by the devastation of the Syrian cities, polluted waters and homeless people now living in camps in neighboring countries. Heartbroken Syrian people will be extinguishing the eighth candle to mark the constant suffering of their country with no hope in sight.
It’s possible, if people knew about American Syria before March 2011, there would have been no comparison to Arab Syria, which has been ripped apart by the ongoing bloodshed that has left its waters red and the air smelling of dead meat.
American Syria has a population of around 1,000, which does not exceed seven miles (as the area of one Aleppo neighborhood). The city is known for its apple farms, grapes, pumpkins and honey. It also produces milk and jam, as agriculture is the main profession of those living here. The income the city generates is the result of selling these products to nearby Virginia cities or Washington, D.C.
Thousands drive through Syria on a single day in the fall, when the Blue Ridge Mountains burst into color and the village offers apple butter, bluegrass music and hayrides. But mostly it is a quieter place where, unlike the close-in suburbs of Washington.
How Did Syria, Virginia Get Its Name?
You may be wondering why anybody would choose Syria as the name of this beautiful American town. City resident James Graves said the designation came about in 1898 when the people chose to move from Madison County to Syria, and its name was pulled from the Bible.
He went on to say that Syria is an unincorporated town of Madison County, close to the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike and adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park’s southeastern border. According to a weather website, Syria faces hot, humid summers but is typically cool during the winter.
Graves’ family owns apple farms here in American Syria along with a small hotel and shop to sell the produce. The state of Virginia classifies this Syria as an individual community with very few families.
Despite the distance from civilized services and no Internet networks, Graves said everybody has heard of the Arab Syria war. They know about the images of “Ilan” and “Imran” – two Syrian children who died trying to escape the war who Syrian President Bashar Assad has claimed to be fabricated and fake news.
Graves said, “Everyone here knows what is happening in Syria in terms of destruction and devastation, and we feel sorry about it.” He continued saying the difference between the two Syrias is that American Syrian wants to learn about Arab Syria’s condition.
Graves voted for Republican President Donald Trump (and probably most other residents did as well) with the prediction that Trump would find a way to end the Syrian suffering and help the country’s people return to normal life.
I asked Mr. Graves about his political opinion for the upcoming election, he believes Several people in Syria, VA said that it made little sense to pay attention too closely to election-year proposals because candidates rarely deliver when they are in office, especially if Congress is needed to approve a new measure.
It’s unlikely that President Assad knows about American Syria and its 49th apple harvest celebration, which is liable to bring in people from other communities to take part in the festivities. Graves said the community often prays that Arab Syria will be able to enjoy the same kind of joy they have. He invited all Muslims and Syrians to visit the community and visit the churches (even with the absence of mosques). He thought that Washington hasn’t addressed two big needs: cellphone coverage and a road into the Shenandoah National Park that would bring more tourists.
People in the beautiful Syria have their own concern, the dairy farmers don’t want to be told by federal authorities to fence their cows lest they pollute nearby streams. And James Graves is not happy that he was told to buy a $6,000 mechanical lift for his pool to accommodate disabled guests.
“I had to put it in four years ago and haven’t used it once,” said the 79-year-old owner of the landmark Graves Mountain Lodge. He said his uncle was among the settlers of the village a century ago.
Syrian Refugee visited the town
Syrian refugees have, indeed, come to the American Syria to enjoy the 49th anniversary of the Apple Harvest.
Ahmed, who fled Syria and certain death to America with his family, said the city of Syria is beautiful and reminds them of their country Syria. He said it’s enough to see the joyful families and to see the sign painted at the city’s entrance, as it reminds him of what his own country is like.
Ahmed said, “This is a beautiful city, and all we want from our country is to be the same as the city with apples, grapes, trees, water and peace. Here, we meet with families, friends and loved ones to celebrate the Apple Festivals; celebrating together with these good people.”
He said security and stability are what they want for their country – to be like the city without a President Bashar al-Assad.
According to Ahmed, these are the words repeated on the tongues of all Syrian warriors of the war in Syria. These survivors and refugees have found peace and serenity in America, as well as something similar to their country (even if it’s just the name).
Another Syrian visitor to the Syria city, Baraa Saarya left his country and the city where he was Damascus five years ago with nothing but clothes, his official documents and a hard-drive filled with pictures of his family and friends in his bag. “This is all I have left of East Ghouta,” he said.
The 24-year-old nurse from the town of Richmond VA, was among the thousands of people evacuated to Idlib (a city in northwest Syria) under an agreement between the Syrian government and the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group, which controlled the town before government forces seized it on Saturday.
During the 12-hour journey, Syrian troops and Russian military police rigorously searched evacuees to ensure passengers were not carrying weapons or bombs, he said.
“For this reason, nothing scares me anymore, and nothing brings me comfort. I am facing an unknown future and a new page in life that I had not planned for.” Baraa ended.
Syrians all around the world see Syria, Virginia as the future for their own country – a beautiful Syria without fear, destruction or bloodshed and Syria without any injustice or aggression. Most of all, it’s a Syria without Assad.
