Boerne’s yellow ribbons reminder of Afghanistan
Symbol commemorates fallen troops, Americans still in country
BOERNE — During the early days of the U.S. military’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11, the yellow ribbon was a ubiquitous symbol of homefront support for troops overseas.
For some Boerne residents, the ribbon is now a symbol to commemorate the 13 service members killed at the Kabul airport in late August and for those Americans remaining in the country after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which the Taliban now controls.
Cheryl Gates, a local residential real estate agent, and several other residents have spent the last month tying yellow ribbons on nearly every corner of the stretch of Main Street in downtown Boerne.
The residents began the process Sept. 11 — the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The ribbons symbolize “hope and remembrance,” given that there are Americans and allies still in danger, Gates said.
The waterproof ribbons likely will remain until everyone returns home, she added.
“If they get torn and tattered, I will bring more,” Gates said.
The number of Americans still in Afghanistan is unknown. In his Aug. 31 speech about the end of the 20-year war, President Joe Biden said that the majority who wanted to get out had been evacuated and that another “100 to 200 Americans” intend to leave.
Last month, the Express-News reported that the family of a San Antonio man who had been stuck in the country had returned safely. His wife and five children left Afghanistan on Sept. 17 on a Qatar Airways flight carrying 28 U.S. citizens and seven passengers with permanent visas.
People in several other states, including a retired Army lieutenant colonel in Virginia, also have displayed yellow ribbons in an effort to keep the story of Afghanistan alive.
Gates, a 49-year-old mother of three, is not a military member. Born and raised in San Antonio, her father served in the Navy and she developed a close relationship with the local military community.
She said the idea about the ribbons likely came to her one day while visiting Veterans Plaza. The idea, however, didn’t materialize until Gates and other Boerne residents were protesting the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Biden administration in downtown.
“I thought, you know, this could make an actual difference,” Gates said.
Gates purchased 2,000 yards of yellow ribbon. She soon heard from the likes of Cindy Edwards and hundreds of other Boerne residents who either wanted to help or to place the ribbons at their homes and businesses.
Edwards, 61, helped place the original ribbons on Main Street. She later returned to decorate Main Plaza in the heart of downtown.
Edwards was born and raised in Boerne and didn’t meet Gates until they walked Main Street together putting up the ribbons. The pair connected over their love of America and its military.
“Not doing this is kind of like turning our backs and walking away,” Edwards said. “When people go downtown and they see the yellow ribbons, they will know that we still have Americans trying to get home.”