There are many ways U.S. citizens display patriotism. Some travel to the Bangor International Airport to greet our service personnel traveling to and from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a remarkable sight to watch troops exit the plane and enter the terminal to be met with a warm welcome by friends and veterans gathered there.

Some people send letters and gift packages to our servicemen and women. Others offer transportation to family members of wounded soldiers in VA hospitals. These individuals are to be lauded for their patriotic support of our troops.

And what about local businesses? There are similar examples of patriotic gestures in the business community.

The Legionnaires of Duffy Wescott American Legion Post 85 in Blue Hill have recently taken advantage of a generous offer from a public-spirited Brewer business. Gold Star Cleaners has a policy that all American flags delivered to their establishment will be cleaned free of charge. Given that there are a large number of flags displayed along the streets of many municipalities in eastern Maine, and from homes and shops, this is a fine patriotic gesture. The initiative will help keep the red, white and blue banners of our republic in sparkling condition.

I am a Brewer native, a Brewer High School and Maine Maritime graduate, and a long-serving Navy veteran. I am happy to state that for the 65 or so years that I have been aware of Gold Star Cleaners, the owners, the Pooler family, have always displayed that deep-seated patriotism.

The Blue Hill American Legion Post 85 proudly salutes Gold Star Cleaners and encourages local businesses to find similar ways to show their patriotism.

Thomas W. Kelley

Blue Hill