Editor, the News-Herald:

Shame, shame on the City of Suffolk and its leaders. We are located in the middle of Hampton Roads, the largest concentration of military on the planet. Our country is at war and we don’t fly a single American flag to show support for our troops.

In my opinion – our troops have always made sure I could voice one – that is as anti-American as it gets. Whether or not you approve of the war is not important, supporting our troops is.

Recently, I called the mayor’s office to express my outrage over this, but he was not available. I left a message on his voice mail. A few days later he wrote me the lamest letter I have every received in my life. He would have been better off if he had not answered at all. He said how sorry he was not to be available to discuss this with me personally. He further explained the cost of such an endeavor.

In my opinion, Suffolk is much like some of our local entrepreneurs – when there is a buck to be made, it is OK to be patriotic. I travel eastern North Carolina and Virginia extensively on a weekly basis and I can assure you that many small towns and cities flew the American flag during the war. Suffolk has had the flags for years – you can see them on every telephone pole in the downtown area and outlying boroughs on holidays and the maintenance crews are already employed, so what cost?

Apparently, patriotism is only fashionable to some when there is money to be made, or so it seems.

Our troops put it all on the line every day. I say again, shame, shame on the leaders of Suffolk.

Joseph F. Wenzler

Suffolk