Information on Veterans Data

Support the Troops

Bond Announces Millions for Disaster Recovery

Bond Praises FISA Reform

Bond Blasts Retreat and Defeat Iraq Strategy

Bond Works to Protect Military Heroes

Bond Votes to Kill Amnesty Bill

Bond Clarifies Phase II Report on Prewar Intelligence

Bond Announces $3 Billion in Agriculture Assistance

Water Resources Bill Passes Senate

Bond Surveys Flood Damage

Bond Returns from Iraq

Bond Continues Tour of Vets Facilities

Pentagon's Pre-War Intelligence Legit

National Guard Empowerment Legislation

Kit Pics

Kit on the Issues

Latest Press Releases

Monday, March 31, 2003

Kit Bond Asks Missouri Families To Tie Yellow Ribbons for Troops and POWs

Bond Ties Ribbon to Tree on His Property in Mexico, Mo

Senator Kit Bond today tied a yellow ribbon to a tree on his property in rural Mexico, Missouri in support of U.S. combat troops and POWs in Iraq, where Bond said it will remain "'til the troops come home." Bond took the occasion to ask all Missouri families to do the same after selecting a tree on their property or the grounds of a local school, church or town-hall.

"Not every American supports this war to liberate Iraq, but we all can support our troops in combat and those who have been captured," said Bond, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "A yellow ribbon is a symbol of that support and a reminder that the peace we enjoy at home is paid by our troops in harm's way."

Bond said that the symbolic act can serve as a powerful lesson to young children and teenagers. "Each generation of Americans has an obligation to teach the next that freedom is not free," said Bond. "Freedom is a gift that carries a heavy responsibility. And part of that responsibility is to support our troops and prisoners-of-war."

The yellow ribbon campaign in Bond's hometown Mexico is being led by local funeral director Connie Pickering, who headed similar efforts during the Gulf War.

The tying of a yellow ribbon around a tree to support troops is a relatively new American tradition. It blossomed during the 1979-1981 Iranian hostage crisis and became a full-blown American tradition during the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Some believe it had its roots in the early 1970s popular song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree." The Library of Congress has researched this new tradition and a full history can be found at the Library of Congress' website.