9/11: I fly the flag for good reason

I put out my Flag today, this day in September when they killed our brothers and sisters, our towers of freedom and trade.

I put out my flag today, this day my friends and family called to see if I, too, was OK.

I put out my flag today, the day they declared war on us in our own homes. It was only a matter of time; we wore out our welcome in the world. We embraced others before our own.

I put out my flag today. Those Stars and Stripes are not just symbols but hard lessons sewn, the blood of our own. Not just fabric flown but the price for freedom for all.

I put out my flag today to rally and unify our nation. The time has come; we knew it would. We need to lock our doors and secure our own before we leap across shores. Patriots to our own first, Americans one for all.

I put out my flag today, the flag of all our families, in hopes that others will too. Americans we are, proud, unsurpassed, unified in our nation and proud of our past.

I put out my flag today, this day Sept. 11, and prayed our union and nation would last.

THOMAS HELTON

Coeur d’Alene