My wife, a U.S. Navy veteran of both World War II and the Korean campaign, died at our home here in Franklin on Jan. 25. At her request and with prior arrangement, she was buried at the Maine State Cemetery in Augusta on Jan. 30.

Because I live a considerable distance from the cemetery, I do not get to her gravesite as often as I would like; however, I did go with a friend on Memorial Day.

I was pleased to notice that her marker was in place, the sod down and it all looked very well. The cemetery was a busy place on that important day, then a friend called my attention to the fact that there were no flags on any of the veterans’ graves. This bothered me. I had taken a flag with me, just in case something like this happened, and I placed it on my wife’s grave. But it was removed almost immediately by cemetery staff.

I wrote to the state and received a response saying that small flags were not allowed on individual graves and that the large flag at the cemetery was meant to honor all the veterans. The reason: So its easier for staff to maintain the grounds.

It is my hope that other families of veterans will help make sure that the ethical thing is done about this dreadful situation. It is an insult to each and every veteran interred there that they are not recognized individually.

William P. Robertson III, Franklin