Hurricane Charley gave my good old flag a bad tear, which was finished a few days later by hurricane Jeanne. It has been folded on the dinner table since that day in July. I sorely missed putting out my flag, and today I could not take it any longer. I went out and purchased a new one today and raised it with a private salute – and a few tears as I thought of those fine young Americans who have not and will not come home from Iraq. So horribly sad for them to die on such faraway battlefields, but such is the bravery and certitude of those who serve, putting country and honor above love of life. My heart goes out to their loved ones this Veteran’s Day, and my salute is to them – to the lives they lived and the honor they forever bring to all of us.

Joe Comer