Recently, I attended the funeral for Donald O’Leary Sr. of Mexico. Terry Karkos wrote a most affecting article, “Dedicated to helping,” published on the front page of the Sun Journal on Jan. 26.

Gov. John Baldacci ordered that the American and Maine flags be flown at half-staff throughout the state for the day in honor of this man who gave decades of his life for the people of the state of Maine and service to his country as a Navy veteran. His hometown complied with the order and great comfort was given to his family upon seeing their flags at half-staff.

Returning home to Lewiston-Auburn, however, was another story. Not one flag in the Twin Cities had been lowered.

Who dropped the ball?

Equally upsetting is the sight of our American flag, in tatters, flying high above a memorial on Main Street to all our veterans. There’s just no excuse for that. Is Lewiston in such financial straits that a new flag cannot be purchased?

In 25 years of living in this town, that was the first time I was truly ashamed of my city.

Marianne Bouchard, Auburn