While the nation pauses to celebrate its historic 250th birthday on July 4, it’s likely Eric Dolash will be busy setting up flagpoles, raising Old Glory in a veteran’s front yard.
Dolash is on a mission to erect flagpoles for veterans across Iowa. In the past five years, Dolash has raised more than 200 flagpoles across the Hawkeye State for the Veteran Flagpole Initiative, a nonprofit organization based in Spencer, Iowa.
His story received national attention recently when it was featured on NewsNation’s “Spirit of America” tour, hosted by Senior National Correspondent Brian Entin. The reporter is traveling across the U.S., highlighting uncommon stories of everyday Americans that don’t often grab national headlines.
And Dolash’s story is about as rare and interesting as they come.
Dolash is also a veteran; he spent 24 years with the Iowa National Guard, but he sees his ambitious trek through Iowa raising flags as a form of gratitude to those who served.
“I’m a veteran myself, but when I’m doing this mission, I just consider myself more of a fan,” Dolash told NewsNation. “And sure, maybe they’re thanked in the store every now and then or by a family member. But to plot out some time specifically for them that they can receive this gift that’s a visual reminder that this country still cares about their service, is just super special to us and super important.”
Dolash and a crew of volunteers handle the entire process of erecting the pole and raising both the U.S. and Iowa state flags at no cost to the veteran. He’s determined to serve any Iowa veteran, young and old. The Veterans Flagpole Initiative recently gifted a flag to Clayton Mingus, a Korean War veteran.
“It means a lot to me,” Mingus said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I sure appreciate this new flag.”
The movement has reached across generations, constructing flagpoles at the homes of Army veteran Ron Peters and his son, Tyler, who served in the Iraq War.
“It means a lot to me, but it means more because of my son, you know, coming back from Iraq,” Ron Peters said. “So, it’s pretty special.”
Tyler Peters told NewsNation the flag represents the freedom he fought for in Iraq.
For Dolash, every time he installs a flagpole, he feels a twinge of emotion.
“It’s hard for me to do sometimes. Like this morning, I’m fine, and I make eye contact with the recipient. Then I’m like, you know, my throat starts getting tight,” Dolash said. “But it’s because they’re just great Americans.”
Air Force veteran Angela Moore believes Dolash’s mission is a great reminder of why she loves this country, soon to be two and a half centuries old.
“I’m a very patriotic person. I love my country so much,” Moore said. “And we have just an amazing country, and we have so much to be proud of and thankful for. And it just means everything to me.”
Read the full article here