Many people give back to their community in ways we never know about.

Some do it in small ways; some do it in big ways. Some do it out in the public eye, and some do it just quietly behind the scenes without a lot of hoopla.

One person that fits the behind the scenes category is Richard Lees. What Dick does for our veterans in our community and surrounding towns no one really knows about unless it's the person he is doing it for.

One year, he took on the project of revamping our veterans honor roll that used to be set up at the Conquest fire hall for many years. He took it up in his garage, did a lot of research at the VA, fixed a lot of names, added the missing names and repaired the old and falling apart honor role. That honor sat in front of the town hall until just last year when it was replaced by our current monument.

Every year, he makes sure the Conquest veterans are remembered in Conquest on Memorial Day. He makes sure the flags get ordered each year that go into the veterans' flag holders at our cemeteries. He makes sure we have new flag holders when needed. And he makes sure the town has enough flags on hand for the town's flag poles.

Dick just told me recently - I had to ask - that he has been a member of the LaBuff Cole American Legion for 56 years. He has helped put on pancake breakfasts since 1986. He peels the potatoes, waits tables, does the dishes, tends bar, mops floors and has picked a veteran up at the hospital. His efforts are all for the same cause: to help a fellow comrade.

And I'm sure everything above is just the short list.

Although I am not a veteran, just knowing there are people like Dick Lees working behind the scenes for the veterans is much appreciated. His good deeds should not go unnoticed.

And on top of all that he does, he still finds the time to go golfing with his wife, Alma, every day, who I'm told shoots a lower score than Dick does.

Charlie Knapp is supervisor for the town of Conquest