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| A military hometown dedication |
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| News | |||
| Written by Jesse Trimble | |||
| Tuesday, 10 November 2009 08:00 | |||
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The city of Paola has left another deep impression on a former resident — so much in fact, he has dedicated a flag to the city. Marine Corps Corporal Steven Nancarrow, son of Paola resident Sheri Harner, is currently stationed in Iraq with his company breaking down camps. Formerly stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nancarrow’s name was drawn in Iraq during formation on the morning of Oct. 24. When Marines’ names are drawn they can choose to dedicate a flag that’s flown over the camp in Iraq every morning to whatever they please. Each day a new name is drawn and each day a new flag is flown over the camp. When Nancarrow’s name came up he decided to dedicate the flag to Paola. The flag is supposed to arrive in Paola within the next four to six weeks. “I was touched when he did that,” Harner said of her son’s dedication. “They (Marines) have us in mind everyday.” Harner added troops usually dedicate the flags to their hometowns.  Interesting thing is, though, Paola isn’t Nancarrow’s hometown. Harner said the family moved to Paola during her son’s last semester in high school from Overland Park. She added that Nancarrow worked at the Applebee’s for a year while he contemplated on what he wanted to do with his life. “Something about Paola clicked with him,” Harner said. “I think of all of our children, Steven is the country boy at heart...he’s always had that demeanour, that country-boy persona.” Harner said she believes Paola helped her son find the answers to his life, stating that one day after work he came home and announced he would be joining the Marines to serve his country. Perhaps only Nancarrow can explain his love and dedication for Paola. In an e-mail correspondence with Nancarrow, he said it is a great honor to dedicate a flag to Paola. “I must say what I enjoy the most from Paola is the simplicity,” Nancarrow wrote. “That’s not to say that the residents are simple, but more or less the citizens stick closer to the grass roots of what this country was founded on. I love being able to step outside, smelling the fresh air, knowing while most of us remain strangers, we are still brothers and sisters, as we are Americans. Not to mention, who doesn’t like to eat at We-B-Smokin’ bbq?” Though he only lived in Paola for a year, he said no matter where the Marine Corps sends him he knows he will always come back to Paola. “Return to a town prided upon hospitality, hard work, and the American dream.” Nancarrow was trained as an automotive mechanic in the Marines and worked in the motor division, but Harner said once Steven discovered he was colorblind the Marines made him a company clerk, which entails making sure supplies are in stock and in order. As part of the current camp break down team, Nancarrow and his company were taught how to weld in transit over a period of three days. He wrote of dedicating the flag, “I just want to, in some small way, say thank you all for the loyalty and dedication you have shown to our men and women fighting for our freedoms. It in no way equals the support you have all shown, nor could it ever. But, I hope you take this flag as a token of my gratitude. God bless you all and God bless this country.” Harner’s oldest son, Paul, is also serving in the military on his third tour as an Army Corporal combat medic. He also hopes to return to Paola and become a doctor to serve the community. “We’re both so proud of our children,” Harner said on behalf of her and Bob Harner, her husband.
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