He helped New Prague honor its own fallen hometown hero in 2012, 23-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Dale W. Means, who died November 18, 2012, while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan.
Now, Larry “The Flag Guy” Eckhardt of Little York, Illinois, is at the end of his life, having placed nearly half a million flags around the U.S. to honor fallen police officers, firefighters, and service members—including Means.
In 2012, after learning of Means’ passing, Eckhardt contacted area community leaders and asked them to gather about 50 volunteers to help him set up flags along Means’ funeral route. Well over 100 people showed up to help.
On the morning of Means’ funeral, November 28, 2012, Eckhardt worked alongside volunteers to place flags 12 feet apart, starting at Lincoln Avenue, by the Memorial Library, and eastward to the city limits. Flags were also placed in front of New Prague Auto Group and several other properties along Highway 13, and were lining Old Hwy 13 Blvd. leading up to St. Patrick Church, where Means’ funeral was held.
It was the 97th funeral Eckhardt attended. “That’s 100 (funerals) too many,” he told The Times in 2012.
Even though eight years have passed since Means’ funeral, the site of the rows and rows of flags and the effort of Eckhardt and the many volunteers remains a vivid memory in the heart of Means’ young widow, Andrea.
“I very vividly remember the flags from Larry,” stated Andrea (Scheffler) Means Lehman on Tuesday, March 3, who remarried in 2017. “It was a sight that I will never forget—lining from New Prague to St. Patrick’s. His (Eckhardt’s) work quite honestly means more than words can describe for families that have endured such pain in those days.”
Eckhardt is battling throat cancer, and after spending nearly a month at a hospital in Iowa City, Eckhardt was brought home to die at the end of February. The ambulance that transported him received a police escort from the hospital.
Hearing the news of Eckhardt’s declining condition, Andrea shared the following statement: “My message to Larry would be to rest In peace. Your work and honor here is done. You’re selfless sacrifice to honor those who have fallen is admirable. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that many of these men and women you honored will be greeting you from above when you pass over!”
‘Flag Guy’ who helped honor local fallen soldier returns home to die
