American Legion kicks off Yellow Ribbon campaign
Editor’s note: Only a portion of this story ran in Friday’s paper. Here’s the entire story.The American Legion’s Yellow Ribbon campaign got off to a rousing start Wednesday. In fact, the kickoff Wednesday was so good that yellow ribbons were in short supply locally on Thursday.
While all the sales couldn’t be attributed to the American Legion’s push to have local residents display yellow ribbons in support of the U.S. troops, there was no doubt that the campaign was contributing to a shortage of the materials.
A sales representative at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts Store at Fayette Plaza in Uniontown said the store is having a hard time keeping yellow ribbon in stock.
“We are down to our bare minimum,” the representative said. “Everyone seems to want to buy yellow ribbon, right now.
“We also have an Americana red, white and blue ribbon that’s selling very well, but I have to say that the majority of the customers who are looking for ribbon are looking for the yellow.”
Wal-Mart workers at the company’s South Union Township store said they had plenty of yellow ribbon for sale but reported that sales were brisk.
Kathy DiPietrantonio, store manager, said store workers are making yellow ribbon lapel decorations for customers to purchase as part of the American Legion’s Yellow Ribbon Campaign.
She added that the store also has patriotic red, white and blue material, ribbons and bows for customers who want to make their own decorations.
Kmart Super Center manager Randy Stewart said although his store doesn’t sell yellow ribbon or bows, they do have a variety of red, white and blue items, including flags.
“I can tell you that the sale of American flags has certainly increased since the war began,” Stewart said. “We will also be getting our patriotic red, white and blue bows in soon and we already have some patriotic ribbons.”
Meanwhile, Joseph T. Joseph, American Legion Post 51 adjutant and one of the organizers of the Yellow Ribbon campaign, said his group was having a hard time finding yellow ribbon Thursday.
“Although it’s hard to find, my people did pick some up from Wal-Mart earlier today,” Joseph said. “We ordered a big shipment, however, from the Internet.”
Joseph said so far American Legion volunteers have made about 100 lapel pins and they got some outside plastic yellow ribbon to make bows that withstand the spring weather.
“I have a big shipment coming in soon so we should be able to make a good number of the pins and bows,” said Joseph.
“I would like us to be out on the street within the next week with the bows and ribbons.”
Joseph said he’s also looking into the possibility of putting yellow bows on the front of school buses. He said he got the OK from the Laurel Highlands School District to put the huge bows on their buses, but he still needs to check with state police to make sure they’re legal.
Joseph said he’s looking into the possibility of dressing up some of the vacant downtown Uniontown buildings and with slogans and signs backing the troops in battle.
“Some of the windows are old and cracked,” said Joseph. “I simply want to make sure that the post is protected in case something happens.”
Joseph said the Legion also plans to get school children involved in the Yellow Ribbon campaign.
“If Girl or Boy Scouts want to contribute to the program they can,” Joseph said.
“We are anxious to hear from anyone who wants to help out.”
Joseph said he can be reached at 724-438-8688.
Joseph also noted that his group is continuing to receive calls from family members of servicemen who need financial assistance.
“A couple of these families don’t even have enough food or money for prescriptions because their loved one or their main chief support is gone,” Joseph said.
“That’s why the American Legion is going to go along with them in trying to work out a program to get them some type of assistance.”