Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Guyer
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/07/2021
Neillsville Police Officer Buys American Flags (2021)
Isaac Guyer of the Neillsville Police Department purchased 40 American flags and 35 Thin Blue Line Flags
to give to people throughout the city of Neillsville whose flag needs to be replaced or perhaps
have never displayed a flag at their home but would like to do so. Submitted photo
By Valorie Brecht
As Americans just celebrated Independence Day and the freedoms enjoyed by this country, Neillsville police officer Isaac Guyer found a way to showcase a symbol of American pride.
Last week, Guyer donated 40 3-by-5 American flags and 35 Thin Blue Line flags to the police department for distribution to any community member who would like one. He was prompted to donate after what he observed while driving around Neillsville.
“It’s something I thought about or a while. While I was on patrol, I noticed that a lot of people had old, worn-down flags that were ripped at the ends,” said Guyer.
He also saw homes with a flagpole, but no flag. He purchased the flags to either rep0lace people’s old ones or provide a flag if anyone would like one to fly outside. He said it was a way to honor America.
“The flag represents America. Our country has not been doing so well the past couple years … but I wanted to replace the flags to show that we still have confidence that we’re going to get back on our feet and keep going,” said Guyer. “With Independence Day coming up, I thought it would be kind of cool.”
Guyer said he also had a lot of people asking him about Thin Blue Line flags, so he ordered some of those as well. The Thin Blue Line flag is a symbol of support for law enforcement and recognizing officers as being the protectors of their communities.
“I ordered 20 and had five handed out right away so I decided to order some more, said Guyer.
The Neillsville Police Department put out a Facebook post June 29 announcing there were flags available.
“We’ve had a lot of people picking them up,” said Guyer.
He also has a list of folks whose homes he would be visiting to drop off flags.
The story didn’t stop with the local community though. Guyer’s family members all live out-of-state, and many of them saw the Facebook post.
“I wasn’t expecting it to blow up as much as it did,” said Guyer. “I had a lot of family members across the country that were messaging me and saying, ‘Awesome. We’re so proud of you’. My brothers and sisters shared the post. I’m from Stratford and the Stratford Fire Department shared the post too saying, ‘We’re proud of our Stratford native.’”
Guyer is an Eagle Scout also. He has some friends message him and tell him “good job’ for keeping up the Eagle Scout spirit of helping one’s community.
Besides showing a love for America and its ideals, Guyer said there was one other reason he wanted to donate the flags.
“it’s another reason to show people that police officers are here for the community.
“I want people to come to me with concerns they might have and [I want to] be a role model.”
Neillsville residents interested in getting an American flag or Thin Blue Line flag may contact the police department or 715-743-3122 or message the police department’s Facebook page. Flags are first come, first serve.
Guyer began his law enforcement career at the Arcadia Police Department in February 2020. He joined the Neillsville Police Department in August 2020.
