Venturing down East D Street in Oakdale, many folks have noticed and appreciated the large American flag that billowed for years above Darryl Wagoner’s home. Wagoner, a Marine that served during the Vietnam War, has spent his life honoring his fellow servicemen by flying the flag proudly for the past few decades.
“I do it to pay my respects to other veterans, those that are serving now and those that did not come home,” said Wagoner.
Like many veterans, Wagoner saw friends perish during the war, but through it all, he remained loyal to his country and to those that have served.
“I don’t want people to forget them so by putting the flag up, I was keeping their memories alive,” said Wagoner.
He did not have a dedicated flag pole at his Oakdale home, however, so for many years he hung the flag on a streetlight pole close to his property. But he now has a permanent new pole on which to display the flag, thanks to his friends and neighbors. A formal dedication ceremony was staged at his home on Saturday morning, May 2.
Through a fundraiser organized by Jeannine Nutter, whose son owns Oakdale Locksmith, the community came together to raise the money to put in a flagpole for Wagoner. Nutter, like many residents, had driven past the flag that Wagoner had displayed in front of his house for many years and was moved to action when she learned that the flag had been removed.
“When we heard that his flag had been removed, we wanted to help get him something that he could keep for a long time so we started a fundraiser a few months ago,” explained Nutter.
With the overwhelming support of the community, they raised enough money to purchase the materials for a flagpole and Dennis Nutter, owner of Creative Fabworx and Construction, began fabricating the flagpole, ensuring that it would be safe and sturdy.
“My wife Jeannine started all of this, wanting to help Darryl and we all wanted to help out in whatever way we could,” said Nutter.
From the Nutters to Wayne and Shelly Heffington with Reliable Tow to Kyle Heffington of Off Road Junkies, many folks jumped at the opportunity to help out a veteran that continues to honor those that dedicate their lives to service.
“We helped place the pole in Darryl’s yard once Dennis had finished making it and we were happy to help,” said Wayne Heffington.
Now, those that will be seeing the flag as they drive past Wagoner’s house are asked to remember it is a reminder of the freedom that soldiers like Wagoner fought for and others continue to fight for. Those on hand for the Saturday morning ceremony said knowing that Wagoner is going to have a permanent way to display his patriotism brought a lot of people together to support the cause.
