Don't forget to fly flag on Sept. 11

I was driving around town on Sept. 11 and noted that not many households had raised American flags. I put ours out when I got up, but didn't see any at my neighbors all around me. For the most part the only places I saw flags today was at major businesses and schools. I understand that the saying "out of sight out of mind" definitely holds true, but you would think that it only being eight years ago, people would take the extra 10 seconds to show a little patriotism for those who died. This really irked me all day. I was a junior at Wheaton North when this event happened. My U. S. History teacher, Mr. Ward, came in the room red-faced, exclaiming "You will remember this moment for the rest of your lives. From now on when people ask me of where I was on Sept. 11, 2001, I will say in my U.S. History class and I will remember everyone of your faces."

We were then instructed my the principal, Mr. Heatherington, that we were not to watch the news during the day. I really wish he hadn't told us that. I understand why he did, but it wasn't until much later that I realized how bad of an attack this was. Before we know it, it will be the 10-year anniversary.

It makes me quite sad that in the past eight years people have turned quite negative on the war on terror, myself included (and not just because my Dad is in the service and I don't want him overseas). It has been so easy to not think about the 3,000-plus people who died that day, and think of it just as an event. So please, people, show some respect and put your American Flag up and let those who died know we really haven't forgotten.

Courtney Doerfler

Wheaton