Legion launches back-the-troops effort
Three families of local service men who have been deployed to the Persian Gulf helped kick off the American Legion’s Yellow Ribbon Campaign Wednesday in Uniontown. The Yellow Ribbon Campaign, according to Gerald “Jerry” Zorn, state commander of the Amercan Legion, will help community leaders and residents remember the young men and women who are fighting in Iraq and who have been deployed to 32 other countries around the world.
Zorn, who served three tours of duty in Vietnam, said the Yellow Ribbon Campaign has been celebrated nationwide during past conflicts and wars.
“The Yellow Ribbon Campaign has been around for a number of years and has been used as a way of showing national support for our troops who are in harm’s way,” Zorn said. “The campaign has been used during war times for soldiers who fought in Korea, Vietnam and during the last war in Iraq in the early 1990s.”
Ron Danko, American Legion Post 51 commander, said the local group decided to start the campaign in Fayette County after several members of the Legion came to him on Sunday and said that they would like to see veterans groups in the area do something to show support for soldiers.
“As soon as we heard that we responded,” Danko said. “People will see us on the streets passing out yellow ribbons, and we will be encouraging schools, local, state and federal offices and residents to put yellow ribbons, and bows on their buildings, on their homes and on poles, trees and vehicles.”
Danko said the yellow ribbons and bows should make people feel like they are part of the war effort and will remind those who oppose the war to keep the troops in their hearts and prayers.
“This isn’t a campaign to show support for the president or the government,” said Pete Porreca, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47 in Uniontown.
“It is simply a campaign to show support for those young men and women who are far away from home, in a strange land, fighting for our freedom.”
Porreca said although he doesn’t personally support President George W. Bush when it comes to economics he does support the troops and Bush’s effort to free Iraq from a dictatorship.
Zorn said he hopes all 830 American Legion posts in Pennsylvania will adopt the Yellow Ribbon Campaign.
“Letters will be sent out to all commanders, asking for their cooperation with this project,” said Zorn.
“We know that veterans across the state and country will want to join in this effort to let our troops know that they are appreciated.”
Daniel F. Martin, commandant of the Laurel Highlands Detachment 732 Marine Corps League Inc., said troops in the field can use all the encouragement they can get.
“It’s lonely when you are young and in a strange place,” said Martin. “It’s always nice to get a letter or care package from home and know that people back home are supporting you.”
Martin, who served in Vietnam, said that he believes that people who are protesting the war are protesting against the system and not against the nation’s troops.
Robert Hixson, Fayette County Veterans Affairs director, said that it’s important to get behind the troops and the president.
“No matter how you feel, we elected him as president and now it’s time to stand behind him 100 percent,” said Hixson. “Fayette is in full support of the troops overseas and we hope to see yellow ribbons hanging at the courthouse and every other public and private building in the area. I know that Laurel Highlands has had some teachers activated and I think the schools will support us in this effort.”
Hixson reminded everyone that families of service men and women who need help can contact him at 724-430-1241.
“I work with the local American Legion posts and try to coordinate with them their family networks,” said Hixson. “I know that there are a lot of former service people out there who are watching a lot of the news reports coming out of the Persian Gulf, and I’m sure that some of them are having a hard time dealing with it.”
Hixson said the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Pittsburgh has a staff that can help veterans with various problems.
Hixson also suggested that local veterans who are having problems may want to discuss those issues with other veterans and said that local veterans organizations are a good place to go and talk.
“People need to understand that these places are not just a nightclub. They are veterans organization with veterans as members who have fought in wars and who are feeling the same feelings that they are,” said Hixson.
“The organizations are there to provide support, and the more members that we get, the more support we can have through legislation.”
Danko said he is writing an article for the Herald-Standard on the Americanism Day program because of the Gulf War and plans to have it ready by the first week in April.
According to Danko Americanism Day began in Uniontown in 1924 when five charter members of the American Legion got together and decided that something should be done to honor those who have served and are still serving in the armed forces.
“We had people who were talking about starting a May Day Parade, who were communists,” said Danko. “That’s when World War I veterans stepped up and said no. This is America and Americanism Day should be celebrated – not May Day.”
Danko said the annual celebration has been rained out only once in its 78-year history.
Joseph T. Joseph, American Legion Post 51 adjunct and the Americanism Day chairman said he would like to see a big crowd at the May 1st parade.
“I want everyone to come out and show their support for our service people,” said Joseph.
“We know that the men and women have a tough battle ahead of them like we had behind us. We came out successful and we know that they can too,” he said.
Joseph said that as combat veterans American Legion members know that the United States can win the war.
“However, that being said, we also know that they need our love and prayers,” said Joseph. “I want all of the families left behind to have a soft spot in their heart for our dearly beloved veterans.”