West Mifflin resident Al Graham is a chiropractor and school director who calls himself the "town sneak."

Make that a patriotic "sneak.'' Tonight, for the fourth year in a row, Mr. Graham will lead family and friends in placing about 1,200 American flags on lawns throughout the borough.

Mr. Graham said that he and his group distribute the 8-by-12-inch flags to show appreciation for "all that our men and women have done in Iraq and all over the world."

"We hope that when West Mifflin residents awake on July 4 and see American flags waving in their yards, they will feel the same way," he said.

This year, Mr. Graham and his wife, Cathy, will be joined by West Mifflin Mayor John Andzelik and friends Heidi McCracken and David Marshall in distribution duty. Two of the Grahams' sons, Matthew and Joshua, also will help. Another son, Ryan, is an infant.

The Graham group bought 600 of the flags, which Mr. Graham noted are made in the United States at the Brand Shop, a supplier of marketing and promotional items in Clairton.

State Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Drovosburg, and state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, contributed flags. Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey, D-West Mifflin, is adding another hundred flags, which he will distribute with his family in more West Mifflin neighborhoods.

"After the second year, people began sending us cards and phoning us to thank us," Mr. Graham said. "People are now expecting this! I hope that it will increase every year."