Yellow Ribbons?

Hi,

I appologize if I am posting this in the wrong forum. I really had no idea where to put it. So, please, if it belongs elsewhere, by all means move it.
(Thanks)


Can somebody please correct me if I am wrong, or if somewhere in the last 30 years about, I missed something.

To the best of my knowledge and understanding of "Tying Yellow Ribbons", it came from an old song, probably about 30 years old, (I don't even know who sang it). But it was a song about a man who had been in prison for 3 years, and needed to know if his....wife?...girlfriend? (whoever she was) wanted him back, and if so, for her to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree".

That is the only context I have ever heard the expression being used, until, of course they started coming out and being tied on trees as a symbol of support for the troops. But, did someone really just come up with something out of an old song to use as a symbol for supporting the troops? Or, like I asked a second ago, have I missed another significance they hold?

I may be very wrong due to impending old age, but it seems to me that this whole yellow ribbon thing started when the Iranians took all the American hostages during Uncle Jimmie Carter's reign.

Personally, I don't see much wrong with it. It does allow people who have no real commitment to a war scene (No sons, daughters, husbands or wives serving in the theater) to show national support, real or imagined.

A yellow rose means friendship and freedom.

The yellow ribbon I assume symbolizes friendship/support to the troops, and as a show that we are free, and they are the reason.

[edit on 8-5-2005 by Obfuscate]

Tony Orlando and Dawn sang it.

FYI

www.americanfamilytraditions.com...

[edit on 8-5-2005 by Lanotom]