Jim Wareing decorates the Howe Street Bridge overlooking Route 213 for Memorial Day. He's been decorating the bridge since he visited ground zero a few days after the Sept. 11 attacks. VALLEY DISPATCH/GAYLE SIMONE

METHUEN-- He has never served in the military, but he shows his patriotism and respect by decorating the Howe Street Bridge overlooking Route 213 with American and military flags.

James Wareing started decorating the bridge in 2001 after he took a trip to New York just four or five days after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I went to help with the cleanup, but they weren't allowing the public to help," Wareing explained. "I felt as safe as could be with all the military set up at Battery Park. I've always respected the military, but moreso after that."

When Wareing, 46, started the decorating he would do it around midnight because he did not want to get caught.

"I was petrified that I would get in trouble," Wareing said.

After the lifelong Methuen resident found out from the Executive Office of Massachusetts Transportation that he would not get into trouble for decorating the bridge, he started doing it in broad daylight.

"People would drive by and beep or yell out their (car) windows," Wareing said. "It was great, but I couldn't get the flags up because I kept stopping to wave back."

When protesters of the war in Iraq held rallies in Boston, Wareing was right behind them -- decorating the BU Bridge from top to bottom with flags.

"I think I used 100 flags to decorate that bridge," Wareing said. "I went there everyday to decorate the bridge. The protesters would tear down a flag and I would hang another one up in its place. I did it to pay tribute to the veterans and to counteract the protest."

For Memorial Day, Wareing removes all the flags that have been weathered and puts up brand new, vibrant flags. Each of the military branches and a POW*MIA flag are centered by the American flag.

"That American flag is special because it was given to me from a soldier that came home from Iraq," Wareing said. "That flag was over in Fallujah."

On the fence surrounding the bridge, Wareing places flags with yellow ribbons with local soldiers names written on them.

Wareing doesn't just decorate the Howe Street Bridge, he also does a bridge in Chelmsford and three in Medford.

"It usually only takes a few hours to hang the flags on the bridges in Methuen and Chelmsford," Wareing explained. "But there are three in Medford so those take a few days."

Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and not being able to work, Wareing started a non-profit organization. New England Caring For Our Military, Inc., founded in September 2004, sends care packages to military personnel who are deployed overseas.

NECFOM has sent over 2,000 care packages so far this year and has a waiting list with at least 100 names on it.Wareing, who worked at Malden Mills for 25 years, said even though he doesn't get paid for NECFOM it's the best job he's ever had.

Asked why he does so much for the troops, Wareing answered simply.

"I'm patriotic."