A source for hope: David Cantrell and the Avenue of Flags

August 24, 2019

Retired Navy captain David Cantrell lost the lower portion of his left leg in a motorcycle accident in June, after which he said the Avenue of Flags (of which he is a leading advocate) and the community of volunteers and veterans who help keep it running became a major source of hope in the face of depression, multiple surgeries and a long road to recovery.

Tyler Graef

David Cantrell is silhouetted before the American Flag as storm clouds roll in on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 Capt. David Cantrell relieved Capt. Marcus Fisk as commanding officer, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 DET 218 during a change-of-command ceremony held recently aboard Display Ship Barry, homeported in Washington, D.C.; Vice Admiral H.B. Harris was the presiding official. Cantrell, whose entire family resides in Cape Girardeau, is the son of Alex Cantrell of Cape Girardeau. He is a 1980 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and a 1984 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. (Submitted)

David Cantrell is seen on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

The name of David Cantrell's father, Alex Cantrell, is seen engraved in the wall on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

Alan Bisher wears a shirt expressing support for David Cantrell on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

Jay Knudtson addresses a crowd before they begin setting up flags on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau. The crowd, many of whom had turned out in support of David Cantrell, was the largest-ever for a flag raising at the park.

David Cantrell poses for a portrait with a commemorative stone at the memorial wall on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

David Cantrell, left, speaks with Southeast Missourian assistant publisher Lucas Presson on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at the Avenue of Flags in Cape Girardeau.

David Cantrell, left, and Clint Tracy are seen at the Avenue of Flags. (Southeast Missourian file)

Cape Catfish general manager Mark Hogan, left, and Ross Gartman, right, watch retired Navy captain David Cantrell, center, throw out the opening pitch to begin the Prospect League West Divisional playoff game against the DuPage Pistol Shrimp on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau.

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