The flag should not touch the ground under any circumstances, Mrs. Somody said.

When a flag is no longer in condition to be displayed in a dignified manner, it should be disposed of in proper fashion, which is often a distinguished burning in a solemn ceremony. Post 20 held a flag-retirement ceremony recently and has a box where people can deposit tattered and worn flags for proper disposal.

Mr. Somody was drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1964. He served in Vietnam and later was stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, from which he retired from the Air Force in 1984.

There should be more flags flying every day, Mr. Somody said.

"As a veteran, that's what I look for. When I see a flag flying, it's like saying thank you' to me," he said.

"We need to let the soldiers know they're wanted."

dheath@pressrepublican.com