By Jeff Lipton
The ribbons symbolize the hope that U.S. troops fighting in Iraq will return home safely. But it also shows them the support they desperately need from Americans at this time, amid anti-war protests taking place around the world, Vardaro said.
I'm definitely behind the troops, said Vardaro, a resident of Lynn Place for 32 years. I feel for the families of the troops. This is a very difficult time for their families, their friends and girlfriends.
She said she is disgusted by anti-war demonstrators, who, with their protests, probably have lowered the morale of the troops in the U.S.-led coalition to oust the government of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
I am pro-troops, she said. Nobody like war. They are fighting for the freedoms that we have.
Vardaro said she is so angry about the anti-war protests that she has taken initial steps to hold a pro-troop rally, possibly in Grant Park in Hewlett, in the near future. In the meantime, she is distributing yellow ribbons to all her neighbors and has set up drop-off boxes for items the troops need such as non-perishables, soap, deodorant and shaving cream and razors. One of the boxes is located at Conklin Avenue and Lynn Place in Woodmere.
Black socks and hard candies are among the things desperately needed by the troops. They need the hard candies because the sand [storms in Iraq] kills your throat, Vardaro said.
Although she admits it is an agonizingly slow process, Vardaro has gotten other Five Towners involved in the Support the Troops effort. Jack Redash, co-owner of A&A Service Station at 724 West Broadway in Woodmere, said he has established a collection box for the troops as well. I think it was a great idea, Redash said of the box. I'm sure [the efforts] will pick up. We want to send them a care package or something to let them know that we are thinking of them.
They are kids, 19-year-old kids who were thrown into a situation that 99 percent of us can't conceive of. We see it on TV and it doesn't seem real. These are kids over there.
These guys are out there defending our country, said Redash, who lives in Cedarhurst. He urged residents and shopkeepers to fly the American flag on their property.
Vardaro's daughter, Adriana, has a boyfriend in Texas, Army Sgt. John Orem, with the 4th Infantry Division, who left for Kuwait last week preparing for his deployment to Iraq.
I'm scared and nervous, but I know he is doing it for a good reason, said Adriana, an 18-year-old Hewlett High School student. It is unfair what everyone is doing [with these protests]. [The troops] are risking their lives for us. To those people protesting: We're in a war now. They are fighting for you. I think you should support the troops. They are putting their lives on the line for you. We should show we care about what they are doing and respect what they are doing.
Writing letters to the troops telling them how much their efforts are appreciated could only help to lift their spirits, said Lori Vardaro.
I'm not pro-war, I'm pro-military, she said. Our commander in chief is doing the best he can for his people. Did [people] forget what happened on Sept. 11? We, as Americans, have to support the effort to get Saddam out of there and free the Iraqi people.
We're in there now and we have to give support to the men and women and the POWs. I think we all have to get together as Americans, and we all have to pull together in an effort to support the troops.
She said the movement is gaining momentum in her neighborhood. She points out that a truck driver who was driving by saw Vardaro tying ribbons on trees and asked if he could have one to display. The gesture made her enormously proud.
He asked for a yellow ribbon and said, ÔWhat can I do to help?' she said.
If a pro-troops rally is organized in Grant Park, Vardaro said she would like to see more than 1,000 attend to demonstrate their support. I've been encouraging everyone [to support them], and I will continue to encourage everyone, and I will not stop until the day they come home, she said.
Residents can log onto the Web site vvnw.org and click on military support to get more information on how they can help out. Anyone who wants additional information can call Vardaro at (516) 779-3412.
