UTICA, N.Y. -- The third annual Flags for Heroes ceremony was held Saturday, paying tribute with a thousand flags and a special guest speaker, former Dallas Cowboys player and Air Force veteran Chad Hennings.

"Anything to honor our veterans, I'm there. So when I received the invitation to come speak at this, it was a no-brainer for me," Hennings said.

Some veterans said they feel like they're getting more respect now.

"Veterans coming back from Afghanistan, Iraq, are getting more support than we ever did coming out of Vietnam," said Ray Cousins, an Air Force veteran. "We were not treated fairly coming out of Vietnam, and I think it's only right that America stands up and supports our vets."

Some also want to see citizens standing while the national anthem is played.

Hennings recognizes freedom of speech, but when it comes to NFL players kneeling during the playing of the national anthem, he isn't for it.

"I fully support an individual's willingness and their ability to dissent, but my opinion is you don't do it during the national anthem or in honoring our flag," he said. "In essence, it's bad form."

He said he believes some players are being used as "political pawns" to divide the nation, and wishes the league had initially been "more proactive" in finding a solution.

"I think we're just seeing an example of what can evolve and devolve, I should say, into anarchy. I mean, it's where everybody is protesting something based upon personal grievance where it's not consolidated," said Hennings.

He added that he believes people are turning away from the NFL and professional sports because of the issue, and he'll never kneel during the anthem.

"The anthem and the flag are the one thing that should unify us. So, never take a knee. Never take a knee," Hennings said.

Flags were sponsored with all of the proceeds going to local veteran programs in support of military personnel, their families, and marriages.