JACKSON - As the nation readies for war with Iraq, some Mississippians are showing their patriotism by wearing yellow ribbons and buying flags.
President Bush has given Saddam Hussein until Wednesday night to surrender power or face a massive military strike against Iraq. Some 4,500 Mississippi guardsmen and reserve members have already been deployed.
James Crawford, a World War II veteran, stopped by Greenbrook Flowers in Jackson on Tuesday to pick up a yellow ribbon - his way of showing support for troops on the verge of war.
"The least thing we can do is pray and show our respect for the boys," the 82-year-old Crawford said.
Greenbrook has given out more than 10,000 yards of yellow ribbon in the past few days, said Jennifer McLendon, manager of the downtown store.
McLendon said people have driven from out of town to get the ribbon after hearing about the giveaway on the radio or reading about it in the newspaper.
"They want to do something to show their support," she said.
Flying the U.S. and Mississippi flags is another way residents are showing support.
Brenda McIntyre of Complete Flag Source in Jackson said the company had a recent surge in sales.
"We're having people come in that are sending flags overseas that have either children or friends in the military," McIntyre said. "A lot of them are sending Mississippi flags to represent their state while they're overseas."
McIntyre said her company sells flags that range in price from 35 cents to thousands of dollars. She said there was also a run on the banners after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
On the Gulf Coast, Don Penny has been giving away 3x5 banners that read "We Support Our Troops. Come Home Soon."
Penny, owner of All Flags and Accessories in Ocean Springs, said for the past two weeks he's given the flags to any business that has a flag pole.
"I'm running out of the 'We Support' flags because individuals are starting to buy them now," Penny said.
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on Tuesday called on Mississippians to remain supportive of troops "who may be put in harm's way."
Kerry McCoy, who started her flag business in 1975 just before the bicentennial, said there's usually an event in every decade that sparks patriotism.
"In the 1990s, we had Desert Storm. Here we are in the 21st century and we had this attack on America," said McCoy,
owner of Arkansas' FlagAndBanner.Com in Little Rock, Ark.
McCoy said last month's flag sales were about the same as February 2002, which was just five months after the terrorist attacks.
She said United Kingdom and American flags are big sellers right now.
"The phones are ringing," McCoy said. "You can feel the momentum building."
Copyright 2003, Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
