Where were Veterans Day flags?

To the editor:
November 11, 2009, Veterans Day. What does that mean? It means one day designated out of the whole year that America honors its veterans. Simple, huh? Apparently not! Though America’s veterans should be honored every day of the year, Veterans Day is when we show that honor.     I was appalled when there were no flags up in Caribou on November 11th. I spoke with Caribou’s city manager to inquire why. I was informed it is the responsibility of the men’s VFW to place the flags around town for pertinent holidays. I then spoke with the men’s VFW and when asked why no flags were put up, I was told, “We had other things to do and we forgot.” There are no words to describe my state of shock.
There are many ways that America is being pushed aside, forgotten. This is just another situation that says “who cares”?! Troops come back from war angry because the respect and admiration they so deserve is not displayed by some cities, towns, and the American people. I do not blame them. We all see the disrespect toward our brave men and women in uniform. Sadly, I see it every day!
With the recent events at Fort Hood Army Base that killed many soldiers, I ask how can it be that the men’s VFW “forgot” to put flags up around town on their day. Those soldiers died for the meaning of the American flag, freedom! Other soldiers die still today for Americans and we cannot even display the American flag on their day?
I am ashamed of our men’s VFW for “forgetting”. They should be ashamed too! I suggest the responsibility of displaying the American flag goes to some other organization that stands behind “Gone but not forgotten”!
I am proud to say my flag was flying at half-staff to honor our soldiers, active and fallen. At the very least the men’s VFW owes our veterans and citizens of Caribou an apology for “forgetting” our veterans. Let us all not forget! God bless our veterans.

To the editor:
Shame on Caribou! In regard to Nov. 11th, you know Veterans Day, well you sure wouldn’t know it by driving through town. I have one big question, where are our flags?
If we as citizens of Caribou don’t have any volunteers to put out our flags, just let me know. I have plenty of people and volunteers that would be more than happy to display them and properly put them away. I come from a family of veterans, proud veterans. My grandfather was a vet, my father was a veteran of Vietnam, who had to fight to join the Army because his only other brother was already fighting for our country. But my father had to go to war because he was proud to serve. My brother-in-law is a war vet as well — and a proud one at that! Not to mention all my dear and courageous friends who are still serving our country.
Having just put so much effort in Caribou’s 150th birthday, did the city officials overlook our display of flags? How about the big parade? A lot of effort there, too. Seems to me Caribou needs to recognize some more important days in the future.
A simple flag on a pole to honor our vets is not too much to ask. Let’s not forget those we lost, or those who are still fighting for our freedom. Let’s put an effort to show these people how much we as Americans appreciate their braveness as freedom fighters. It takes a real hero to even sign up for duty, not to mention fight in a war.
So Caribou, if you need volunteers to donate time, transportation or whatever, I will personally give up my time, anytime, just to give back to our vets, and show them some respect that they all deserve.

To the editor:
As I was driving through Caribou on the morning of Nov. 11, I could not believe that there were no flags on the town’s poles throughout our great city. I began to have the feeling that our once patriotic little city had gotten as cold and heartless of those who believe that being patriotic can only be offending or not even politically correct.
I, as a fellow veteran, want to believe that the flags not being out was only due to an oversight and not done deliberately by our fair leaders, especially on a day such as Veterans Day. Now that the day has passed and no public apology has been stated to the flags not being out is like a slap in the face to the veterans.
Nobody forgot to tribute the big peace sign about Woodstock which was up for weeks? What happened to showing the flags just as we do on the 4th of July or on Flag Day, also on this special day? The lack of symbolism allows those who do not care about the main reason for the day to get away with treating it as just another big sale day and not as a way to take a small moment in time to say thanks while remembering those who have sworn to defend this great nation so we all can have the very freedoms we enjoy today.
By placing the flags out on the poles, we are actually saluting the veterans and acknowledging their sacrifices in times of war and peace. Next time we have a day to remember our heroes, I will also wonder what would have happened if those veterans had turned their heads in such a way as to not want to get involved or answer the call, ask yourself where our country would be today.
Every American in every village, town and city owes their very way of life to the veterans. Honor them by displaying our nation’s flag which is the very symbol of freedom they are sworn to uphold.
And to our fair little city, always remember that we the veterans are always watching and how you honor us, you too shall be honored. Freedom is not free and this day is not and should not be used as just another paid day off. Stop and remember those who truly paid for it.