Do you “Support Our Troops”? Do I?

[stusegal]

As I drive around I see these magnetic yellow ribbons on the trunks of cars proclaiming “Support Our Troops” (OK, some of the ribbons are red-white-blue).

During the Vietnam era occasionally someone would tie a yellow ribbon around a tree - it usually meant that a soldier or a soldier’s parents lived in that home, and they wanted him/her to return safely.  Sometimes adjacent neighbors, or maybe the whole street, would tie ribbons in support of the soldier and the soldier’s family.  Very personal.  (Sort of like the Star Flags displayed during WWI & WWII).

A few years ago I started seeing these magnetic ribbons on the backs of cars, and naively thought these were families of soldiers.  Also naively I thought that the exhibiters of these ribbons might have done something (donation perhaps?) for the troops.  Also naively I assumed that whoever manufactured the magnetic ribbons must be giving the proceeds to the troops.

 Apparently I was wrong. 

• Look online for "Support Our Troops” ribbons and you’ll find that there are indeed a few organizations that give the proceeds of their ribbon sales to support the troops – but you will be hard pressed to find those orgs amongst the many suppliers of these ribbons that just plain sell them and keep the money.
• Then I started asking people with ribbons on their cars if they had a family member in the military.  Now I’m sure some of these people must, but I couldn’t find anyone.  (My point is – most don’t).
• OK – so I was afraid to ask people what exactly they did to entitle them to display such a ribbon, because by that time I had realized that you could buy these ribbons in any Walgreens, supermarket, etc.

So let me put the question to you  -  what exactly do these ribbons on cars mean?  Is there a belief that by riding around with a ribbon on your trunk you are somehow “Supporting Our Troops”?  Someone please enlighten me.

Comments

[khaybee.livejournal.com]

I know that I can totally be a grumpy old woman, but to me these magnetic ribbons mean the following:

I want to feel that I have the right to claim the moral high ground without having to actually put in any thought or effort.

Too cynical?

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

I'm with you!

I like the following signs that I've seen proliferating:

Support the troops - bring them home!

[stu-segal.livejournal.com]

Yep, I have a very clear understanding of the "Bring The Troops" home ribbons.

It's the originals I don't get, but it seems that you all think what I thought, but hoped wasn't the case. (Because I tend to think that I can sometimes be cynical in my perceptions)

[stu-segal.livejournal.com]

Grumpy - - I dunno. If you say so.
Old - - never.
Cynical - - hmmm. I would say your view is insightful, not cynical.

BTW - - bon voyage. Keep the shiny side up.

[metzhead.livejournal.com]

I think they mean you want people to think you're supporting the troops.

those things are rampant in Phoenix. I really don't like them.

[stu-segal.livejournal.com]

So it's right up there with having a religious icon on your lawn, or a tattoo of Vishnu on your bicep?

The comments back have me thinking of the term "Wearing his religion on his sleeve" (which used to mean, a display of the outward signs of religion by someone who is not at all religious or holy - in recent political campaigns the phrase has taken on a different meaning).

Supporting OUR Troops

[(Anonymous)]

When a person displays a magnet ribbon or what-not they are simply stating they support our troops overseas. Dont read into it like a hypocrite. View it as that person supports our troops and wants them to come home. Who cares if they do have personally have friends for family overseas, they simply support OUR troops working hard to protect OUR country and way of life.

Should they not display their worry and care for our troops overseas just because they dont have a family member overseas?

Re: Supporting OUR Troops

[stu-segal.livejournal.com]

Well. . . .you're the first person that offered the view that the ribbons signify that the person displaying them is thinking good thoughts and wishing well for the troops. This sounds like a reason to display a ribbon . . . . but I guess my question was really about what it is they're doing to support the troops - ie., visiting injured soldiers at VA hospitals, helping families of soldiers in need, etc.

I don't want to sound cynical, I just don't get how riding around with a ribbon on the car "supports" the troops.