Neighbourhood is star-spangled on Flag Day, and every day

Bay Shore, New York

ABREW Street, a short, leafy stretch lined with modest cape-style homes in this town on the South Shore of Long Island, serves as a shortcut to the local mall, and stands out to the sharp eye because many of its houses bear an identical homemade American flag made of wood slats.

They are the handiwork of Gerald Goldman, 94, who served in World War II in the Marine Corps, and who now claims distinction as having the longest tenure - 61 years - on Abrew Street.

A few years back he began making the hand-painted flags for friends and neighbours.

"I wanted to see a flag on every house," said Mr Goldman, who is one of the small number of Americans who look forward each year to Flag Day, which was Wednesd…