Cadets in BYU's Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps passed out thousands of yellow ribbons on campus Tuesday April 8.

The ribbons were handed out after the Devotional and throughout the day to increase awareness and show support for deployed U.S. troops.

"The whole idea behind it, the slogan, was whether you support the war or not, support the troops," said Cadet George Chapman, 24, a senior from Washington D.C., majoring in community health education.

Cadets, spouses and friends cut, folded and pinned approximately 18,000 ribbons over the weekend, said Cadet Nicklaus Walker, 24, a senior from Brigham City, majoring in European studies.

Walker said the cadets probably spent between 75 and 100 hours preparing the ribbons.

Cadets handed out a flyer with the ribbons. The flyer said 60 BYU students have already been deployed.

"We want other fellow cadets to realize and understand that it's not just somebody off at Fort Hood that's going to war, it's fellow BYU students that are taking up arms and having to go over there," Walker said.

Even before the war began, the idea to show support for U.S. troops originated in a meeting after anti-war and pro-war protests took place on campus, Chapman said.

The Air Force ROTC wrote a proposal that went through BYUSA's Student Advisory Council to obtain funding for the idea.

Originally, council representatives expressed concern about the proposal.

"Some of the representatives were worried that there was going to be some kind of an implication that BYU is in full support of the war," said Luis Lugo, executive director on the Student Advisory Council. "We didn't want to convey against it or for it."

Those on the council wanted the yellow ribbons to emphasize BYU's support for the troops, Lugo said.

"When it was going through the Student Advisory Council, there were a lot of people who were really concerned that it would be making a political statement," Chapman said.

After discussion and debate, the resolution, which originated in March, was given approval two weeks ago.

"By wearing a yellow ribbon, one is not necessarily taking a political stand, just a stand of support for the individuals who were sent over to Iraq," said Jordana Choucair, vice president and chair of the Student Advisory Council. "The yellow ribbons help unite those on campus who have loved ones in the Middle East and wish to support the troops."

The ribbons received much acceptance as many students wore them on shirts, jackets and book bags throughout the day.

"I like them," said Marianne Lind, 19, a sophomore from Alpine majoring in English teaching. "It's a good way to show support for our troops."
Copyright Brigham Young University 8 Apr 2003