In my Health Promotion: Theory and Practice course this semester, a community gatekeeper is defined as an individual who is an unofficial leader in a community. A gatekeeper is someone who everyone knows, who is visible and is an example of the character of the community at large. It is arguable that Earl Gray, Vietnam war veteran and unofficial keeper of the "Before I Die..." wall on Biltmore Avenue, was a gatekeeper for the Asheville community.
About a month before moving to Asheville for college, my grandmother and I took a day trip to the city. I had just started learning about photography, and we walked around all day, cameras in hand. When we encountered the "Before I Die..." wall, Mr. Gray greeted us with a request to support a Vietnam veteran. As my grandmother wrote, I snapped candid photos of her as he chatted about how great it was that I brought her to visit.
Driving home that afternoon, I was so excited to go to school. I had a tough time adjusting to Asheville life during those first few weeks, and it was difficult to develop new connections. One day, I took the bus downtown to get some fresh air and as I walked past the "Before I Die..." wall, Earl Gray said "Hey, you're missing somebody aren't you?" In this city of strangers, someone had remembered me and taken an interest in one of my experiences. Talking to the keeper of the wall that day helped me to feel a sense of community and face my life changes with a more positive attitude. There have been many Sunday afternoons since then that Earl Gray's smile has greeted us on our way to lunch after church.
Many Ashevillians and visitors have interacted with this man in a similar way. So many of my friends and classmates were taken aback by his passing, and a fundraiser page has been created to help with his final expenses. Remember to support our veterans and to interact with others without fear or reservation.
Mr. Gray, you will be missed by our community.
