"A Yellow Ribbon Should Denote Cowardice"

Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode CCCVII

A letter to the editor.

Don't give support to U.S. troops

In response to Tabitha Perkins (letters, May 11) encouraging us to tie a yellow ribbon to support the troops no matter how one feels about the war, and to everyone else of like mind: I do not support the troops who are willing to kill for their government, for the money it pays, for the education they may receive later — if they make it home alive with their brains intact — or any patriotism they claim to represent. A yellow ribbon should denote cowardice in the case of welcoming these people home.

They took the easy way out in the current climate of "You're either with us or you're against us." The willingness to kill, maim and torture for the government is not something to be proud of.

To go against the grain is the honorable thing. I would like to honor all the women and men who refuse to fight any battle that is not their own, whether it's for oil, power, money, government or greed. I honor those brave and decent enough to take good care of themselves and others. I honor those wonderful, intelligent beings who can think for themselves and not sign on to anything that would compromise their own respectability, those ethical enough to take responsibility for directing their own actions.

I say tie a blood-red ribbon on your arm, on your trees or any other limbs you can think of to show support for those willing to save blood for worthy endeavors.

SHERRY FRANZEN
Eugene

Here is the letter to which she was replying:

Display support for our troops

Before returning home, a weary young soldier wrote a letter to his sweetheart. Rather than telling him whether she loved him or not in words, he pleaded with her to give him a sign of her feelings. If she had waited for him, he asked that she tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree outside the train station.

On his way home, many thoughts passed through the young soldier's mind. Would his beloved remember him? Had she waited for him? Would she recognize the man who had left her as a boy? As the train pulled into the station, the young soldier gathered his courage and looked out the window. Joy filled his heart as his gaze hit upon the old oak tree outside the station. There, tied to that tree, was a yellow ribbon. She had waited for him. He had not been forgotten.

Our soldiers are performing their duty in Iraq, serving their country in any way required. It is our duty as American citizens to show our support for our troops. It does not matter whether an individual is for or against the war in Iraq. Our soldiers deserve a sign of our support and respect regardless of our individual political views.

Show your support for our troops. Display a yellow ribbon in your yard. Volunteer your time and money to help our troops and their families. Show our troops that they are not forgotten, and we are waiting for them to come home.

TABITHA CHRYSTAL PERKINS
Springfield

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Fri. 05/28/04 06:52:40 AM
Categorized as Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode.