“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” - Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
the yellow ribbon has a long history that predates to the american civil war, but gained more popularity last century. in 1972, Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown registered for copyright a song they called "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." in the three weeks after it was released, it sold 3 million copies, and radio stations played it 3 million times, which translated to 17 years of continuous airplay.
the yellow ribbon's symbolism evolved into more prominence during the iran hostage crisis. penne laingen, the wife of then US ambassador to iran bruce laingen, tied a large yellow ribbon around the oaktree in their backyard and said she was waiting for mr. laingen to come home and untie the ribbon himself. thus, the yellow ribbon symbol had become a banner through which families could express their determination to be reunited. later on it became the symbol for families anticipating the return of their soldier sons, husbands, brothers, sisters, wives from war starting from the gulf war in the early nineties to present.
i do not believe in war, but i do believe that thousands of our soldiers and your countries' soldiers are fighting a war everywhere in the world so that we may enjoy our freedom and continue to have peace. this post is to honour those noble individuals.
@olivetreeann - thank you, ann. wasn't that a classic read? i've heard some of those old folklores when i was young and i was glad i found that particular link. glad you enjoyed it.
@summerfield I always associated it with the Vietnam War (which was winding down when the Tony Orlando and Dawn release was played over and over and over and...).
@bkbinthecity - thank you, brian.
@salza - thank you, sally.
@steeler - thank you, howard.
@alia_801 - thank you, alia.
@abhijit - thank you, abhijit.
@catsmeowb - thank you, camille.
your visits and comments are so much appreciated.
@sunnygreenwood - thank you, anne.
@claireuk - thank you, claire.