Dear Editor,

I would like to thank everyone involved with the recent hanging of our veterans’ banners in the village of Tiltonsville, especially to Gary Motto, a Vietnam veteran who approached our mayor to get the project rolling.

As I walk the streets, my heart literally swells with pride and gratitude to these men. All our veterans are important, but most of the banners honor “the Greatest Generation” who grew up in a depression, saved humanity and came home to build the greatest economy and standard of living known to man.

They remained quiet, humble people who became the leaders of our community. My dad was one of those men.

In speaking recently to a friend of mine from Powhatan Point where I grew up, he hopes to see banners raised in his village as well.

It seems a shame I did not know at age 14 what I learned by my 20s-30s. I grew up in a village of heroes but due to their, “Let’s get on with life” attitude, I did not realize it at that time.

They did not want me to know.

Today our village is a brighter place. Not only are the banners beautiful but they say “thank you” for a job well done and for allowing we the people to celebrate freedom like no other nation on the planet. Freedom isn’t free.

A reminder: In 74 days of brutal Pacific Island combat we lost 10,000 boys killed on Peleliu and several months later, lost another 7,000 in 36 days on Iwo Jima. The wall in Washington, D.C., has over 58,000 names on it. Lest we ever forget …

To all who purchased banners in Tiltonsville, I commend you. Every community in this great nation should try to do the same, everyone, whenever possible. At the least we all can fly the flag. God Bless America,

Michael K. Robey

Tiltonsville