Neighbor News
"Yellow Ribbon Tree of Honor"
In memory of Our "Tree of Honor", and "Our Military Yellow Banners"
For so many years Livermore’s Yellow Ribbon tree stood proudly in all her glory at the corner of South Livermore and First Street. This special tree spiraled tall under the protection of Old Glory. Unfortunately, it is time to respectfully retire her with grace and honor. When the Holiday lights came down, so did 278 weather tattered Yellow Bows that adorned our tree for all these years. This Tree of Honor has now become a part of Livermore’s history and I for one will never forget her meaning and beauty.
As I pass down First Street, I still remember the brilliance of those yellow bows against the dark green foliage. A skirt of color around her base and all the Glory of the Red, White and Blue flowers at her feet. She will be missed, but not forgotten.
As these years have passed, we find ourselves still anxiously awaiting the return of our beloved troops – whoever thought that the Yellow Banners hanging on our street light poles would succumb with age and weather conditions before all our deployed troops returned home. Tattered and dirty, they deserve to be honorably retired just as we do for Old Glory, after years of service.
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These symbols of bravery and love for our Military will remain forefront in our hearts, and although we are saddened by their absence, our pride for our young men and women still stands forever strong.
Most of the banners are available to the families if you would like them – some in pieces torn by the wind – others dirty and tattered - not bright and clean as they were for many years, but just as important. They too have done their duty to remind everyone who viewed them that America stands strong and we are so proud . . .
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Operation:S.A.M. has agreed to catalog the banners by name to assist in their return so if you wish to have the banner, please send an email to operationsam@comcast.net so arrangements can be made. Please provide your loved ones name, your name and a phone number. On April 15, 2015, all remaining banners will be Honorably Retired and become unavailable.
