THIS SEPT. 11, FLY OLD GLORY PROUDLY.

Byline: DENNIS McCARTHY 

Odds and ends from around the Valley:

It started a few weeks ago, with an e-mail asking a few friends to fly the American flag on Monday -- the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks -- and grew into a chain of e-mails reaching the homes and offices of countless people nationwide.

``Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9-11, and let those sentiments guide you,'' it begins.

``In the days, weeks, and months following 9-11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared.

``On Monday, let's display them outside every home, apartment, office and store in the United States. Do it in honor of those who lost their lives on 9-11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain.

``Do it for those who today are fighting at home and abroad for freedom.''

None of the dozens of people who forwarded me this e-mail in the last few days knows who started the chain, but it really doesn't matter.

All that matters are the words, says Howard Griggs of Woodland Hills, who received the e-mail from a friend and kept the chain going with his own family and friends.

This Monday, take a moment to think back on how you felt on 9-11, and let those sentiments guide you.

Jackie Colleran of Thousand Oaks, another reader who sent me a Fly the Flag e-mail, will also be participating with friends Monday in the inaugural Simi Valley Freedom Walk.

The 1.8-mile walk to remember the victims of 9-11 will begin at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and conclude at Rancho Madera Community Park.

A free shuttle service will return participants to their cars at the library.

The walk begins at 5 p.m. in the library courtyard, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. For registration information, call [phone].

Also, during the month of September, the Reagan Library will be collecting donations for U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Items requested by the troops include packets of trail mix, hard candy and beef jerky, individual packets of lemonade, CDs and DVDs, used video games, AA batteries, stationery, postage stamps and prepaid phone cards. No hygiene items or snacks that will melt in hot temperatures.

Which brings me to some good news. The California Army National Guard in Van Nuys will again be home for Operation Gratitude's annual Holiday Drive to send more than 45,000 surprise care packages to troops this holiday season.

For information on donations or volunteering for the holiday drive that kicks off on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, e-mail the group's founder Carolyn Blashek at cblashek(at)aol.com, or see www.operationgratitude.com.

And finally, the Independent Living Center of Southern California will be hosting its fifth annual Expo, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys.

The event will feature informational workshops for people with disabilities as well as seniors and caregivers.

Wheely Willy, an 18-year-old therapy dog that walks with the aid of an assistive device, will visit at 11:30 a.m.

His owner, Deborah Turner, takes him around to hospitals and schools for children with disabilities, encouraging them.

Willy has appeared on the Discovery Channel's ``Animal Planet'' and Nickelodeon.

dennis.mccarthy(at)dailynews.com

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