Veterans' Day is Friday, but Little Compton began marking what volunteers call 'Veterans' Week' this weekend.

On Sunday, volunteers raised two large banners at Pike's Peak, and another group planted 900 flags in honor veterans and their families, turning the Commons into a patriotic sea of red, white and blue. There was more planned for the coming week — presentations by students at Wilbur McMahon, and a veterans-only dinner held by the Little Compton Community Center Sunday evening.

The banners were the idea of residents Mike and Cora Rocha, who have a son in the United States Air Force. Last year, Rocha designed and paid for a large banner thanking veterans for their service. This year, he and Cora decided to create another one, and solicited names of Little Compton veterans online and in talks with friends around town. They came up with about 60 names, all of which were added to the banner, and are looking for more for next year's display. Though Rocha sits as the chairman of the Republican Town Committee, he said the effort had nothing to do with the organization, and was conceived of and paid for by he and his wife.

"This is just something we're doing privately," he said. "I think we should be thanking veterans for their service and all they've done."

If you know of any veterans not already named, send an e-mail to Rocha at mikecori@cox.net.

The Rochas' work coincided with an effort by a large group of friends led by Caroline Wordell. Sunday afternoon, they installed 900 flags on the common, which will be lit daily through next weekend with lighting supplied by Rocha and Little Compton Fire Chief Rick Petrin. Volunteers drank coffee donated by the Commons Lunch while they worked.

In raising the flags, Wordell and her friends are asking that anyone who has the means should consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project. If you want to make a donation, send one to Wordell at 42 William Sisson Road, Little Compton.

Helping with the flag-raising effort were Paul and Jeanne Wordell, Bert Chretien, Jane Gavin, Connie McGee, Joyce Moson, Barbara  Ambrogio, Joe Maiato, Jenn Holewka, Mikel Folcarelli, Bob Booth, Bill McGeough and his employee Albert, Dick Dube, Russell Sisson, Bob Murphy, Chris Hudson, Kevin Wilkie, Tack Eddy, Donna Gomez Silva, Nicole Peckham, Donald Medeiros of Able Engineering, and Karen Carneal.