I have noted with interest how perspectives have changed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and how much better we now understand the past.

As an example, I think most of us under 50 can at least see a little better into the mindset of why innocent Japanese Americans were imprisoned after Pearl Harbor. Even if we think the action was deplorable, as I do, we can now understand the rationalization a little better.

Unfortunately, many law-abiding Arab Americans have similarly been unfair targets around the country and have felt proverbially imprisoned as well.

I am taking a college class with one Arab student, and I am sure he has felt more uncomfortable since the bombings. I do not know him, but maybe I should try to make him feel better and ask him how he has been getting along.

Many Arab Americans have come to America looking for better opportunities, plan to stay here the rest of their lives and love America as much as composer George M. Cohan of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" fame did.

As an example, I was driving down the freeway last week, and I noticed that a car passing me was full of people of Arabian or Central Asian descent. The car passed, and on the back window was a "God Bless America" sticker. I have to admit that seeing an American flag on their car choked me up a little.

Another part of the past into which I now have more insight is the concept of atomic bomb shelters. I was just a toddler when the Cuban missile crisis was taking place, so I have always looked with humor at the bomb shelter signs on public buildings. I especially did as the 1980s moved into the 1990s.

In light of what happened at the World Trade Center and with talk of possible chemical or biological attacks, I do not anymore.    Another perspective that has changed is mine toward the displaying of American flags. I must admit that I thought those World War II veterans in my community who flew American flags 365 days a year were almost being corny.

I felt the same way when my wife told me that her grandmother, who had two sons fight in World War II, was very proud that she was born on the Fourth of July and that she liked to dress in patriotic colors.   Needless to say, I understand those two perspectives better.

The same is true with my view toward firemen and policemen. I used to visit New York a lot in the 1980s and 1990s, and I distinctly remember the obvious lack of respect New Yorkers showed toward policemen. In fact, they sarcastically nicknamed them "New York=B9s finest."

Their perspective has changed, and so has mine.

I was at a college football game over the weekend, and I noticed that the local firefighters were being honored before the game.  After the game started, one of them was sitting two rows in front of me in his spiffy formal uniform, and I was tempted to go up and tell him I appreciate all he does.

I would have never thought about doing that before Sept. 11.

Keep waving Old Glory, and may you always represent the tremendous opportunities that this country offers anyone, no matter their line of work or country of origin.