Published: April 21, 2007 11:27 pm            

Living his dream in Uganda

• Stillwater soldier repairing wells in African country

Not many people can say they are living their childhood dream, but that’s exactly what U.S. Army Capt. Scott Hagerty of Stillwater is doing.

Hagerty has been stationed in Africa since March 2006 with his mission being to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests to prevail against extremism, he said.

“I have always dreamed about being a soldier, even as a little boy, so I know I am doing the job that was destined for me,” he said in e-mail interview.

Part of his mission is to repair wells in the northern Uganda districts of Lira and Pader, where he and fellow soldiers have repaired more than 60 wells that provided about 250,000 local residents with clean water.

Waiting at home for Hagerty is his wife of 11 years, Daphne, and their two sons, 9-year-old Jonathan and 8-month-old Samuel, who is named after a civilian contractor Hagerty worked with in Iraq who was later killed by an improvised explosive device.

Daphne Hagerty said her husband is expected to be back at Ft. Bragg in May, but there might be a chance his mission could be extended a few months.

His first deployment was to Iraq, from October 2004 to August 2005, but Hagerty said it’s just part of the job.

“It’s hard to be away from them,” he said. “They say that the soldiers are heroes for what they do, but I just say we are doing our job.”

Hagerty has lived in Stillwater since his family moved to Oklahoma in 1976. In 1984, he graduated from Stillwater High School and joined the Army in 1986.

Four years later, Hagerty was out of the active army and attended Oklahoma State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science, pre-law and international relations in 1993. At the same time, Hagerty received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve.

Other projects Hagerty has been a part of in Africa include providing: proper facilities for basic medical care for children; veterinary care and enabling Africans to provide it in the future; and military-to-military training.

Daphne Hagerty said although it is hard to get used to the routine when her husband is deployed, she is proud of Hagerty’s military career.

She said she has to get used to taking over the bills, getting help with the five acres of land they live on and being responsible for their two boys.

“It gets lonely at times not seeing him for months and not knowing how long it will be before I see him again,” she said. “(But) I have a great support system of family, friends and my church.”

        

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