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March 27, 2003
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He tied, and tied, and tied a yellow ribbon
By KARL MUENCH
Staff writer
ROCKPORT -- Tying a yellow ribbon around the oak tree has long been the
symbol of waiting and wishing for someone's safe return.
Jim Atkinson of Rockport is waiting and wishing for the safe return of an army
engaged in war, so he needed a lot of yellow ribbon -- 1,200 yards.
Commuters heading home into Rockport last night had to have noticed that, off
Upper Main Street, nearly every tree and several bushes were adorned with the
ribbon, interspersed with the occasional American flag.
Atkinson served in the Air Force in 1979 through 1987. After the attacks of 9-
11, he put out U.S. flags in the same dramatic fashion as yesterday's project.
He would prefer peace. He dislikes violence. But he supports the troops' current
aim of deposing the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
"I don't like violence," he said, "but sometimes it's the only answer."
But his thoughts during this project were of the servicemen, not politics.
"As I put each one up," he said last night, "I said a prayer for all of our
servicemen to come home safe and sound."
Armed with eight rolls and a tool belt, he spent four hours wrapping and tying
and stapling.
During that time, he heard a toot of a car horn from perhaps 25 percent of the
drivers. A local florist stopped to offer a resupply of ribbon.
But another man stopped and yelled at Atkinson. The man promised to return at
night and tear it all down.
If that's the case, Atkinson promised, he will be right back out there today
putting ribbons back up.
"I tend to do what's in my heart," he said.
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3/28/03 10:19 AMThe Gloucester Daily Times Online
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