While the idea didn't originate with him, Bryan Thomas, a Mars High School junior, nevertheless deserves heartfelt recognition for his determination to honor the 2,977 victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In a project he will fund and carry out in response to an idea he received during a conference he attended this summer at Grove City College, Thomas will place 2,977 American flags on the lawn at Mars High School for the ninth anniversary of the terrorist tragedy next month. The 7-by-9-inch flags, along with signs stating their solemn purpose, will be placed in the grass between Route 228 and the school parking lot.

It is a site that hundreds — if not thousands — of commuters pass each morning and afternoon. No doubt knowledge of the display will encourage others to see the site that day and reflect on its meaning.

An article in Wednesday's Butler Eagle reported that Mars School Board members, who gave their approval to Thomas for use of the school grounds, gazed at him in admiration as they were presented details about what he wanted their permission to do.

"It's very admirable, and we wish you well," said Kimberly Geyer, board president.

Thomas was an elementary school student on the day of the terrorist attacks and, at the time, no doubt grasped just a limited understanding about what had happened.

However, his generation will someday be passing on the significance of that terrible day to their children and the importance of remembering the toll that was wreaked by those who sought to shake the very foundations of this nation.

Thomas' mission is a worthy example of how 9/ll can be kept in the forefront as a poignant reminder that this country always must remain vigilant regarding powers and forces that seek to destroy it.

Because of the cost and otherwise limited availability of tickets, many Pennsylvania residents accept the fact they'll probably never get to witness a Pittsburgh Steelers or Philadelphia Eagles football game in person and, even less likely, a Super Bowl.Yet some of the people whom they elect to represent them in the halls of Pennsylvania government — whose primary duties include overseeing the people's business — accept such tickets for free — and without a tinge of shame — from lobbyists who are seeking their support for particular issues pending before state government.According to a Pittsburgh newspaper, statements of financial interest filed with the state Ethics Commission reveal that a Pittsburgh law firm gave state Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre, a $4,000 Super Bowl trip.Meanwhile, Corman's House counterpart, Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, was treated by Peco Energy Co. and other groups to four tickets to a Philadelphia Eagles-New York Giants football game.Those gifts were among the $67,000 in gifts and hospitality that Pennsylvania legislators received from special interests last year.While that figure is not large, considering the scope of Keystone State government — and the fact that lawmakers raked in $93,000 in gifts, travel and hospitality in 2005 — those "fringe benefits" of public service are an affront against the many thousands of state residents who are experiencing serious difficulties and who otherwise never expect to be able to enjoy such experiences.It's naive to think that such giving of gifts and favors from lobbyists ever will cease, but it might be eye-opening if constituents asked their incumbent lawmakers during election years to disclose to them their gifts of legislative service over the last year or two — and pay attention to whether the lawmakers seem embarrassed over the information being sought.

Motorists don't need to travel too long in the city to realize that much more resurfacing is needed in Butler. However, the resurfacing work that has been accomplished this summer on roadways such as Mercer, North Washington, North McKean and South Chestnut streets, as well as others, merits nothing but positive words for the city and its streets department. Also deserving recognition is the redevelopment authority, which had a hand in the work that's been done and will be done in the days ahead.To many motorists, what remained after the removal of the deteriorated pavement delivered a clear statement about how badly deteriorated the streets in question really were. Many motorists didn't believe that the streets without the deteriorating pavement that had been removed were much, or any, worse than the streets prior to the deteriorated-pavement removal.The city still has years worth of streets resurfacing work to catch up on, but this summer's effort is a good start.What has been accomplished this year is a credit to what the city can achieve when it has the money — albeit through borrowing — and the commitment to get something so important done.It is to be hoped that, despite the city's serious financial difficulties, progress can continue to be made in years hence to put to rest the decades-long neglect that made many of the city's streets such an embarrassment.