DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran. I was told were to wear the American flag pin on the rights side, hats, etc.

But the president of the United States and other politicians wear it on the left side. Even people on TV, Jay Leno, local newscasters, Maine Gov. Paul LePage, etc., wear it on the left.

What’s the story? Who’s right? Thanks a lot. — Peru Vet

ANSWER: According to online sources, the flag pin is to be worn on the left, so as to be over the heart.

ehow.com offers these rules:

* Place the American flag pin on the correct side of the body. All American flag pins are to be worn on the left side of the body. The reason is that the heart is located on a person’s left side.

* Flip the American flag pin so that the flag is straight, with the flag’s stripes pointing to the left. The flag is then right side up and “flying” directly to the left.

* Insert the American flag pin in the proper position on the left side of the body. Place the pin approximately 1 to 2 inches (measuring not necessary) directly above the heart. If wearing a clothing item that has a lapel, place the pin in the middle of the left lapel.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks for your expert and courteous help in this column. I have been wondering who owned the World Trade Center Twin Towers property in New York City at the time of the 9/11 attack. And who made the decision to create the memorial that it has become? — No Name via email

ANSWER: New York businessman Larry A. Silverstein bought the buildings the summer before the terrorist attacks. According to Wikipedia, after their destruction, his insurance company paid out $4.55 billion.

Silverstein sought permission to rebuild. As with any building project, approval must be obtained, including from the Port Authority, which owns the land (except for 7 World Trade Center). Wikipedia offers the following:

“In an agreement reached in April 2006, Silverstein retained rights to build three office towers (150 Greenwich St., 175 Greenwich St., and 200 Greenwich St.), while One World Trade Center (previously referred to as the ‘Freedom Tower’) would be owned by the Port Authority, as would Tower Five, which it would have the option of leasing to a different private developer and having redesigned as a residential building.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On behalf of the L/A Veterans Council, we are urging anyone who would like to have the names of their veteran family members or friends inscribed on the next monument, No. 26, at the L/A Veterans Memorial Park, next to the river falls to apply as soon as possible.

Hopefully we will unveil No. 26 on Memorial Day next spring, if we have all the names we need to fill both sides of the monument. We have almost one side of the monument already filled.

This would be a nice holiday gift to someone dear to you or remembered. Any person, man or woman who has served in any branch of the armed services regardless of when they served in peacetime or wartime. This includes Merchant Marines as well, National Guard, Reserves. As long as they were discharged honorably and have proof of their service like a DD214 or any official document from the Department of Defense.

Please contact me. If you do not have an application, I will mail one to you or email you an application. The cost of each inscription is $35, payable to the L/A Veterans Council as seen on the application.

Sun Spots has a great readership, and I know that many people will respond to this posting. Thanks again, Mrs. Sun Spots, for your help in the past. You have been very helpful to our veterans, who deserve to be honored in this way. — Norm Cote, vice chairman, 782-1725, nmcote@roadrunner.com.

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