Happy Father's Day Dad!

Happy Father's Day Dad!! (And turn your volume up before clicking) :)

What does the yellow ribbon really mean?

I recently noticed that one of my neighbors has a yellow ribbon around a tree in his front yard. I am familiar with the concept of tying a yellow ribbon around the "old oak tree," but I have never really seen one on a tree in real life. And to be completely honest, I know neither the origin nor the exact symbolism behind the concept.

I've always thought the yellow ribbon was meant to recognize that the household had a loved one serving abroad in the military and were awaiting his or her safe return. But I wasn't sure if it also had political undertones.

So today I looked it up. And interestingly enough, the tradition stems from the 19th century practice of women wearing a yellow ribbon in their hair to signify their devotion to a sweetheart serving in the U.S. Cavalry (thank you Wikipedia), hence the song "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon," which inspired a John Wayne movie of the same name.
Yellow was apparently the official color of the Cavalry.

In the 1970s, the yellow ribbon became widely known in civilian life as a reminder of an absent loved one, either in the military or in jail that they would be welcomed home on their return. The prison theme is exemplified in the well-known Tony Orlando number, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree." I've never paid attention to the lyrics, a sample of which follow:

I'm comin' home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me?
If I don't see a ribbon round the old oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree.

Today, the yellow ribbon signifies exactly what I had suspected it did: families waiting for their loved ones serving in the military. I am ashamed I didn't know this, otherwise I would have tied a giant yellow ribbon around one of our own trees in honor of my brother-in-law (and all soldiers), who spent more than six months in Iraq and will be returning to his home and family on base in Germany tomorrow.

Instead, I will send a note of thanks out to the blogosphere to everyone who said a prayer for his safe return!