I recently received an e-mail requesting all of us, as Americans, to display a flag of any size on Sept. 11. The e-mail further stated how so many flags were displayed following the 9-11 attack on our country and now have disappeared.

I find this e-mail so very disheartening.

Why does it seem that patriotism is so often short-lived and only in times of crisis?

The attack on 9-11 was a terrible time in history, although we have also had many, many other terrible things happen throughout history: Vietnam, World War I and World War II, Desert Storm, etc.

I believe we should all be proud Americans and fly an American flag on a daily basis and not just on special days or holidays. If you are unsure how to properly display a flag, you can go to the Internet. Search "flag etiquette."

Libby "Larkin" Booker

Mahomet