DEAR EDITOR:

Hundreds of Veterans and their families gathered all over the county to remember the men and women of our armed forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice. All Veterans gave some but some gave all. Memorial Day is a celebration to remind us that we must never forget the high cost that was paid in order to establish and maintain our freedom and the liberties we all enjoy.

The Governor of the State of Ohio issued a directive that all flags be displayed at half mast until noon on Memorial Day. This is an honor that is granted limitedly because of the great significance that it represents. I am a veteran who, like others, holds this day with esteem.

As a veteran I was eager to join the celebration in Columbiana. Driving from Lisbon, I approached the Columbiana County Courthouse. I could see that the flag needed to be adjusted. I was shocked to see that the flag had not been lowered. I felt the best place to begin in getting this corrected was the Lisbon Police Department. To my surprise they too had not lowered their flag. And finally, the Lisbon post office neglected to lower theirs. These are all government entities!

I do realize that it is a federal holiday, and the post office and courthouse are closed. But to me, it is still unacceptable. It seems to me a simple solution. The police department can add this task to their responsibility. On holidays, they should be able to lower all the flags at these locations.

Have we, as a society, lost the true understanding and appreciation of what the true meaning of Memorial Day is? I want this letter to stand as a reminder that this holiday is more than hot dogs and hamburgers and a game of cornhole in the backyard. We all enjoy those things but we must also never forget the deep meaning and significance that this day holds for Veterans and families.

I suspect I am not the only veteran who felt a stabbing pain in my heart at the sight of three inappropriately displayed flags. The powers to be should be ashamed of themselves. May the conviviality of the day never erase the reason for it.

MATT HENDERSON

U.S. Army CPT, Retired

Lisbon