Rejection of yellow ribbons brings jabs, show of support [MI this time]

Grand Rapids Press ^ | Friday, April 25, 2003 | Matt Vandebunte

[FourPeas]

Rejection of yellow ribbons brings jabs, show of support

Friday, April 25, 2003By Matt Vandebunte
The Grand Rapids Press

CEDAR SPRINGS -- The decision of city officials to prevent a community service group from hanging yellow ribbons on downtown lampposts in honor of U.S. troops in Iraq drew a light-hearted ribbing from the president of the Cedar Springs school board on Thursday.

Michael Metzger thanked the city for stealing the headlines at the annual dinner shared by the school board and City Council.

Mayor James Charon responded by drawing attention to the yellow tie he was wearing, then stated that his constituents support President Bush and the U.S. military efforts in Iraq.

City Manager Ron Howell this week rejected a request by the Grass Roots Teen Initiative to tie 25 yellow ribbons on light posts along Main Street, saying the antique posts are not intended to serve as a "public kiosk."

Greg Kurylowicz Sr., chairman of the initiative, criticized Howell for making the decision on behalf of the city, and wants other city leaders to reverse it.

One local business owner responded to the situation by wrapping a yellow ribbon -- made from strips of garbage bags -- around the outside of her store.

Whether or not the downtown lampposts have ribbons, it needs to be known that the Cedar Springs community supports U.S. troops, said Joan Moss, co-owner of Mercantile of Yesterday, 17 N. Main St. <

[FourPeas]

the antique posts are not intended to serve as a "public kiosk"

I'm certainly not a fan of the whole yellow ribbon thing -- I much prefer red, white and blue as a sign of support and patriotism -- but this guy just doesn't get it.

[bluesagewoman]

I am not wild on the yellow, either, because I am a child of the 60's and remember Tony Orlando and Dawn. But, if the yellow ribbon is what brings us all together, I can get over it. I can replace my Red White and Blue with yellow anytime...if it becomes the symbol. Our service members are probably too young to remember that song anyway. Sort of like us who were a bit blurry on the Mares Eat Oats song, etc. If yellow ribbons give our troops comfort, I will fly them all over!

[gcruse]

I doubt the troops fly yellow ribbons.
Can you imagine the reaction if General Patton
came back to his command tent to find a yellow
ribbon on the flap? LOL It wouldn't be pretty!