Tie an yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Remember that classic song as sung by Tony Orlando and Dawn? Seemed at one time a yellow ribbon would show support for the troops. And to me, it shows support for bringing the troops home. As the song is about a guy getting out of prison asks his girl to tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree:

I'm comin' home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me?
If I don't see a ribbon round the old oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree

The Library of Congress has a good article on How the Yellow Ribbon Became a National Folk Symbol. The first documented proven usage of a yellow ribbon was for a returning convict. I can remember singing the cadence in the Army:

Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon
She wore it in the spring time, in the early month of May
And if you asked her why the heck she wore it
She'd say she wore it for her soldier who was far, far away
Far away
Far away

So if I get irrated by those yellow magnetic ribbons I see on the back cars and suvs and pick-ups nowadays here is why: I wear a yellow ribbon to show my support of bringing the troops home, while nowadays it seems most people wear them to show their support of the war in Iraq. And if they tell you they brought it to support the troops, ask them where they buy them: for Wal-Mart doesn't donate any of the procedes to the troops. Buy them at a local VFW to support the troops.

And don't get me started on that "God Bless the USA" red, white and blue sticker. Nothing like a little first admendment love for you. If you'd like to make your own protest ribbon, just go to this website, the Pomo Sideshow, where they'll make any ribbon for you. None of the procedes go to the troops, so buy one at the VFW and then buy one from the Pomo Sideshow to make your voice be heard.