WHEELING — The late John Stanley Duplaga was nicknamed “Germ” growing up, because of his small size. Yet his family members said his heart towered over his stature.

Family and friends gathered Monday at Generations Restaurant on National Road to honor Duplaga with the latest banner in the City of Wheeling’s Military Banner Program. Duplaga’s visage has been placed along National Road in front of the restaurant.

Mayor Denny Magruder said there are now 258 banners around the city honoring local veterans. Duplaga — a seaman on the USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin — was just 22 years old when he was killed in action during the Vietnam War.

“One of the most honored things I’ve been able to do in 15 months as mayor is to stand with groups like this and honor our real heroes,” he said.

The

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