SANFORD (AP) — A Sanford man honored his father, grandfather and all veterans on Memorial Day by flying a U.S. flag that hadn’t been outside its plastic casing in nearly 50 years.

The flag flown at Gary Aldrich’s home on Monday was last used to cover his grandfather’s casket in 1966.

Aldrich told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1op17r8 ) he was paying tribute his grandfather, Horace G. Aldrich, who served in World War I, and his late dad, Horace P. Aldrich, who served in the Korean War.

Aldrich said the flag was given to him by his mother, who died several years ago.

Aldrich said he usually travels to Old Town on Memorial Day to tend to the graves of his father and grandfather, but couldn’t make it this year, so flew the flag instead.