Yellow Ribbons Brighten Family’s Heart

By Tanjua Damon

Ernestine and Frank Dillon were pleasantly surprised to see yellow ribbons hanging from the tree outside their home as well as neighbors’ homes at Walnut Tree Village in support of the troops that are serving in the Middle East.

Elizabeth and Andy Comcowich are the neighbors that began putting the yellow ribbons up, which has caught on with the rest of the residents of the village. Upon entering the retirement community, the lines of trees each have a yellow ribbon attached to them. Some of the ribbons are a bit more faded and tattered than the rest, but that does not change the support the village displays for the thousands of troops serving.

“I was really happy they did it,” Mrs Dillon said. “It makes me feel really good.”

The Dillon’s son, Tech Sergeant Robert E. Dillon, serves with the United States Air Force. He is 53 years old and served in Vietnam. He works as a civilian mechanic as well as a reservist who was called to serve. He was most recently in Kuwait, but his parents believe he will be moving toward Iraq in the near future.

Mr Comcowich came up with the idea. He felt it was important to show support for the troops as well as their families, many of who do not really know where there loved ones are. He referred to the song by Tony Orlando song of the sixties called “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ol’ Oak Tree.” Families have brought the song to life since its creation to honor the armed forces going to serve their country and to show support and pray for their safe return.

“I hoped other people would buy ribbons and put them up,” Mrs Comcowich said. “And they did.”

Yellow ribbons can be seen throughout Newtown as well as American flags in support of all the men and women serving at this time.