BOSTON -- Every Memorial Day for the past five years, a Massachusetts town has found its own way to honor heroes killed in Iraq.

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported Wednesday that for the man behind the tribute, the public display is very personal.

It was 2003. The war was new, and Bob Blair had an idea.

VIDEO: Flag Display Honors Heroes Killed Overseas

"They wanted to put a small sign up. I said, 'No one will see it. Why don't we put it on a telephone pole where everyone will see it?' I started making them and ran out of magic marker at midnight. In the morning, I went down to Fiske's Store, bought some more and went out and hung them up," said Blair.

"We need to be reminded because for years and years people have been giving to this country the ultimate sacrifice, and we should never forget. Never," said John Paltrineri, of Fiske's Store.

When Blair started the tradition the plan was to list all the soldiers each year, and let the list grow as, unfortunately, the numbers grew. But after a couple of years it became apparent there were too many names, too many signs. He could not keep up.

"You want it to be respectful and each one to have a flag. The flags blow down, and we go back and pick them up," Blair said.

"Bobby Blair did this when he was still working for the Post Office, and in retirement now he has flags up with them. Not just the names and ages. It really, really makes you think," said Judith Ann Landers, of Holliston Jewelers.

The man they call Mayor Blair also plants flowers all over town. Every Veterans Day, every Memorial Day he remembers those lost.

"They are all someone's boyfriend or girlfriend or children. It's Memorial Day. You're supposed to remember on Memorial Day," Blair said.