Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon

She wore it in the springtime

And if you ask her why the heck she wore it

In the merry month of May

She wore it for her soldier who was far far away

The custom of tying a yellow ribbon around a tree symbolizes waiting love and is rich in history. In many countries around the world, yellow ribbons symbolize support and solidarity, and seems to have roots in Pompeii, the city covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Being of Puritan heritage, the song "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" for 400 years has appeared in various forms, and was brought to the United States by English settlers.

Yellow ribbons and sashes were worn on the battlefield by the English Parliament's Puritan Army in the English Civil War in 1642-1651. Yellow is the official color of the U.S. Army Armor (tanks) branch, which is the evolution of horse mounted Cavalry, whose troopers wore a yellow neckerchief. When the troopers would deploy, the women waiting for their return would wear yellow ribbons to show devotion to their soldiers far, far away.

"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" is a song recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1973, the theme of which is a released convict would be welcomed home by seeing a yellow handkerchief tied on a tree in front of the house. In 1979, during the Iran Hostage crisis, the JAYCEE'S ladies service organization in Leitchfield, Ky., organized a campaign to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" around public trees to show support for the U.S. hostages held in Iran. The symbolism continues to this day to show support for our troopers deployed in harm's way.

Idaho National Guard's Major James Hicks is the State Family Program Director for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Mandated by Congress in 2008 under the National Defense Authorization Program, soldiers are mandated to attend Yellow Ribbon reintegration seminars upon completion of their combat tours. Although not required, family members are encouraged to attend. Together they find out about resources available to reintegrate from deployment to citizen soldier status. There is also a required briefing at 365 days before deployment, and again at 90 days, working with individuals and units to get troopers and families ready for their "tour of duty." Yes, the families are heavily involved in the tour of duty.

"The Yellow Ribbon Program has a huge impact on soldier readiness," says Major Hicks. "Not having a stable home life puts the soldier at risk, and household issues are a big stressor for families."

Among the programs available in the Family and Yellow Ribbon programs are financial counseling, a general support program, Operation Kids and direct support with an embedded family support specialist at each major command.

There are 30-, 60- and 90-day reintegration seminars and last October at Templin's in Post Falls, the 30-day reintegration was held for the 116th CAV, opening with the awarding of the Purple Heart to Staff Sergeant Jason Rzepa who lost his lower legs in an IED explosion last July, that also killed Sergeant Nathan Beyers and Specialist Nicholas Newby while on patrol in their Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) near Camp Victory, Iraq.

Agenda items included VA programs, educational and employment benefits, and communication techniques for families and soldiers for coping with stress. Colonel Tim Marsano invited members of VFW Post 889, American Legion Post 14 and Pappy Boyington's Marine Corps League 966 to act as guides for the event. He thought it appropriate for us "old dogs" to interact with the "young pups" and talk about what lies ahead. Did anyone say "War Stories?"

After you've been there, done that and got the T-shirt, you have a right to do that, both young and old. As for Commandant George Minas and fellow Marine Duke Gaffney from Detachment 966, these two old Devil Dogs were happy to help welcome home the "Pups!"

Kudos to our returning troopers and their families for enduring their tour of duty. Your sacrifices are well appreciated and acknowledged. And for those whose loved ones are still in harm's way, there is a Yellow Ribbon here for you.

Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens.