BUCYRUS—Vikki Kennedy, a resident of Ridge Avenue, created a moving display in her yard to honor the 13 soldiers killed in the Kabul blasts, as well as those Americans and friends to America in their efforts to get out of Afghanistan since the fall of the government into the hands of the Taliban.
Although her father never saw combat action, he served in the United States Navy, and she recalls missing him and the long waits to see him as a child. “My heart aches for all the families who lost their soldier children in the explosion in Kabul. I want to challenge anyone reading this to tie that yellow ribbon around your tree and put up those 13 flags for the soldiers we lost. As Americans, we need to stand with America,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy is haunted by her father’s words telling her that no American should be left behind. She believes the ribbon and flags represent continued support until the mission is completed and all Americans, allies, and others who want out of Afghanistan are free.
The yellow ribbon as it’s is used today stems from the unlikely mix of the 1973 hit by Tony Orlando and Dawn called “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” and the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis.
The song was originally written about a man returning from prison looking for a sign (the yellow ribbon around the tree) that he would be welcomed home. The ribbon came to symbolize and signify a welcome home for the hostages.
The phenomenon spread across the country and became a general symbol of support for soldiers fighting abroad and those either missing or taken hostage.
Kennedy hopes Bucyrus and surrounding communities come together and display the ribbons and flags with patriotic enthusiasm.