I was appalled to hear the Camden selectmen’s decision to take down the yellow ribbons in their town because they viewed it as a political statement.

I hope people know that the origination of the yellow ribbon came from the 1970s-era song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” by Tony Orlando and Dawn. The song was written about a person getting out of prison and the yellow ribbon was the symbol that the person was still wanted by his loved ones.

The song went: “Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the old oak tree…do you still want me?…If there’s no yellow ribbon I’ll stay on the bus, forget about us, it’ll be plain to see (the answer is no).”

As a former Vietnam veteran’s wife, I know that many lessons have been learned because of the Vietnam War.

For many people, the yellow ribbons symbolize our belated support for our Vietnam veterans as well as for our soldiers fighting in Iraq. I feel that people need to get the word out that the yellow ribbon campaign is not a political statement of support for President Bush or the war or whatever else anyone can dream up. The campaign is simply the love of family, community and country for those soldiers abroad who are protecting our rights to our freedoms.

Yes, there is a message in every yellow ribbon tied around a pole or sign: a message of love, not politics.

Pauline M. Bailey, Auburn