Family, friends among those honoring Wagner’s sacrifice

ALEXANDRIA — Rows of tiny American flags and big, bold ones proudly greeted the nearly 100 walkers who set out along an Alexandria highway Saturday morning for the second annual Greg Wagner Memorial Walk.

Thirty-nine of the walkers were brothers, nieces and nephews of the South Dakota soldier, who died in Iraq in 2006. But one didn’t have to sport one of the Day-Glo T-shirts and tennis shoes worn by most of the participants to show respect for the event and Wagner’s friends and family.

“It makes you glad you’re from a small town in South Dakota, because they wouldn’t think about doing anything like this in bigger towns,” said Kenny Wagner, Greg’s brother, who resides in Mitchell. “Even when we were coming down, seeing the farms with flags out — even if they can’t participate, they do participate. Their thoughts are with us. It’s just a super deal to remember (Greg) like this. I know he’s smiling in heaven right now, saying, ‘Man, they’re doing this for me.’ ”

The local Red Cross organized the walk and benefitted from the proceeds. According to Jackie Horton, director of the Dakota Plains chapter, the walk included 96 participants, 20 more than last year. Organizers and family hoped to raise $10,000 at Saturday’s event — though it was important to keep in mind the reason for the walk, Horton noted.

“It’s really not about raising money; it’s about creating awareness,” she said. “Because Greg gave the ultimate sacrifice, serving our country, so it’s just a day to remember him and all the men and women that are currently serving our country.”

The turnout also included about 15 members of the Patriot Guard, who rode in on motorcycles to patrol, enforce security and show support. For Dave Mude of Morton, Minn., the Greg Wagner Memorial Walk marked his sixth militaryrelated event and 1,000th highway mile of the week.

Following the walk, the Alexandria American Legion and Auxiliary hosted a barbecue with burgers, brats and sauerkraut for the walkers and the community as a whole.

“He’d be glad that people were supporting the troops. He’d be the first one here to walk for someone else,” said Deb Wagner, Greg’s sister-in-law. Her son, Ryan, 22, who’s in the National Guard, looked up to his uncle Greg and was walking ahead with his dad and uncles, Greg’s six brothers, all of whom committed to completing the 20-mile walk.

For Velma “Blondie” Wagner, Greg’s mother, the shorter, six-mile option was just fine.

“We just thank the good Lord we got the day we got. It’s beautiful,” she said. “I know he is looking down at us — and my husband is up there with him.”

Tags: greg wagner, news, memorial