Janine Marnien
As he was hanging yellow ribbons bearing the names of local men and
women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Crescenta Valley Sheriff's
Station Capt. Ralph Martin saw a few he recognized.
"I keep thinking of when they were little and playing T-Ball," he
said. "Now that we have our young men and women from our community in
harm's way, we thought we'd at least have a place people can come to
honor them."
Martin and several other deputies and volunteers spent part of
Monday afternoon hanging the ribbons on a board outside the station.
About 60 yellow ribbons were displayed when they were finished -- all
were from the Sunland, Tujunga, La Crescenta, Montrose and La
Canada Flintridge area.
"You don't think about how it affects one small area until you see
something like this," volunteer Sharon Raghavachary said.
One red, white and blue ribbon hung in honor of Donald J. "John"
Cline Jr., a former La Crescenta resident who is missing in action.
The board faces Briggs Avenue, and will remain as a tribute until the
war in Iraq is finished.
Volunteers spent the past five days painting the names on the
ribbons. Differing shades and sizes of yellow ribbon do not signify
anything, save for a shortage of yellow ribbon, Deputy Dan Connolly
said.
The board is painted to represent the U.S. flag, and is the
brainchild of volunteer Ginger Hunnicutt. The names were gathered
from existing lists provided by the Crescenta Valley Town Council and
Crescenta Valley High School.
Ribbons and markers will be available at the front desk of the
sheriff's station, 4554 Briggs Ave., for community members who wish
to add a loved one's name to the board. A light will illuminate the
display at night, and residents are invited to stop by and look at
the board at any time. For more information, call 248-3464.
