We at Radio Dubuque, along with many in the Tri-State area have lost a friend in Jim Wagner. Jim was a huge advocate for Veterans in the Tri-State area. I first met him in a garage where he welcomed all that wanted to visit. I remember the first time I went there and he told me that all Veterans were welcome to see what he was doing with his hobbies, or just to talk about their situations. It was an Honor to watch what he envisioned with the start of the Veterans Freedom Center. I enjoyed the times he would stop at the radio station just to say hi, or to be on the radio for an interview. To be honest, you never knew what he might be thinking, or ready to say, but one thing that was for sure…if I (or we) ever needed anything with our annual Fireworks and Air Show, or Honor Flight, he would tell me, “keep up the good work”, salute our Veterans, and if I needed something at an event, he’d say don’t worry (and I never did) he would take care of it. As I tell everyone, I am not a Veteran but I understand what ALL Veterans have done for us to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. Though he would always Thank Me for what we do here at Radio Dubuque, we all knew that he was one to lead the charge and for that I will always be greatful. Jim, I will always miss our encounters at Radio Dubuque. We will proudly continue to support all Veteran issues and carry the torch as you would direct and appreciate. God Speed my friend, you will never be forgotten.
Perry Mason
