While passersby are probably used to seeing Howard Lasher’s memorial trees — the six maple trees in Mr Lasher’s front yard that have a majestic American flag painted across them thanks to artist David Merrill — as they travel along Dodgingtown Road, the sight of Uncle Sam in front of those trees is a little unusual. But that is exactly what travelers saw around the middle of the afternoon on June 30. Georgetown resident Bill Dexter, who regularly dresses as Uncle Sam (and Santa Claus), and does public appearances as well as volunteer work for hospice, stopped at the property with his family for a special moment. He and his wife Lea, and their daughter and brand-new (four weeks old!) granddaughter Clara, stopped at the Lasher residence to take a photo that would be emailed overseas to the Dexters’ son Caleb, who a members of the Virginia National Guard 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment (“The Punishers”). Caleb Dexter’s unit is currently serving in Iraq. After the family photo was done, it was on to Torrington for Lea and Bill, where he was making a special pre-Independence Day public appearance. (Hicks photo)
