Fly the U.S. flag as a salute to veterans

"We don't want to be heroes, but it's nice to know people appreciate what we did," said Vietnam veteran Fred Wilhelm.

As I drove through my neighborhood to work on Veterans Day, I counted the flags that were displayed on houses.

I was pleased to see that U.S.A. flags (9) outnumbered Chicago Bears flags (3) and "autumn seasonal" flags (3) over a stretch of four to five blocks (approximately over 100 houses).

But this number is so much lower from the weeks after 9/11 when nearly every house in my neighborhood had a flag displayed.

As I hang my flag in front of my house on designated flag days, it is with thanks for those who have served our country.

There are 21 days each year designated as official flag flying days by the U.S. Flag Code.

Show your appreciation to those that serve our country and have granted us the liberties that we enjoy. Properly fly the U.S.A. flag. We owe them that much.

Ed Kowynia

Buffalo Grove