GET READY: Get your flag ready to fly.[neWLine]

Monday, as we all know, is the anniversary of the Sept. 11
attacks on New York and Washington.[neWLine]

We get a timely reminder from Al Hervey of Lehigh Acres, Fla.:
“”Please tell all your readers to be sure to fly their flags on
Monday, the 11th. … any size flag. After America’s worst terrorist
attack of 9/11, the greatest display of American flags appeared
across this nation since WW2.””[neWLine]

“”Since then, this show of patriotism has been on the wane. We
should never forget those who died and accept those who hate our
country.””[neWLine]

One question, though, should it be flown at half-staff? Seems to
us it should.[neWLine][neWLine]

V-J DAY: And then there’s that other date significant in our
country’s history – Aug. 15, 1945, the date of the Allied victory
over Japan in World War II.[neWLine]

Readers may recall our confusion about a discrepancy in the
correct date. While all our reference material singles out Aug. 15,
a reader distinctly remembers celebrating in downtown Bradford on
Aug. 14. We feel very confident in her recollection because it was
her birthday.[neWLine]

Today, an explanation.[neWLine]

Andy Waterman of Olean, N.Y., who writes for The Era from time
to time, offers this explanation: “”I read in RTS that there is
some dispute over the date of VJ Day. Actually, I suspect both are
right. I suspect this is the answer: Japan is one day ahead of the
U.S.””[neWLine]

“”For example, Pearl Harbor Day, which to us was Dec. 7, 1941,
was Dec. 8, 1941, in Japan. So Aug. 14, 1945, here in America would
have been Aug. 15, 1945, in Japan, and Japan is where the Japanese
surrendered. Thus, to anyone there, VJ Day was Aug. 15, while to
anyone in America, it was Aug. 14.””[neWLine]

Another way to put it comes from Bill McCloskey of Bradford:
“”In your recent article on the date of V-J Day, one person said
Aug. 14 and the official date is listed as Aug. 15. They are both
right.””[neWLine]

“”We always forget the International Dateline that lies in the
Pacific Ocean. To the west would be Aug. 15 and here in the U.S. it
would still be Aug. 14. According to the World Almanac, 2 a.m. on
Aug. 15 inðTokyoðwould still be noon on Aug. 14 in Bradford using
Standard time.””