Respect for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

To the Editor:

Over half a million Americans died during the Civil War. Of those casualties, 13,000 were Iowans. In fact, Iowa had a higher percentage of its male population serve in the military during the course of the war than any other state.

Nearly half a million Americans also lost their lives during World War II, the deadliest military conflict in history. Over 3,000 of those Americans were Iowans.
Why then, when I drive around Waukon, do I see Confederate and even Nazi flags being flown? Have we no respect for our war dead?

Cate St. Clair
Waukon