Yellow Ribbons

CAMBRIDGE -- For 19 days, an entire town hoped its prayers wouldn't end as they did yesterday. When 1st Lt. Adam G. Mooney disappeared after a Jan. 25 helicopter crash in Iraq, the residents of this Eastern Shore community hung yellow ribbons around telephone poles. Shop owners extended hope on their marquees. Katie Mooney marked her and Adam's first wedding anniversary without him. And Mooney's family tried its hardest to keep his deepest wish: If anything happened to him, not to tell his 8-year-old daughter until it was certain he hadn't survived.

Hospital extends benefits for soldiersThe Greater Baltimore Medical Center is going out of its way to show support for a handful of employees called to active military duty.The hospital says it will extend all current medical benefits to any employees called to active duty. GBMC also will supplement their military pay to match their customary hospital salaries. The policy will be in effect for at least six months from the time the employee left to begin his or her service.GBMC spokeswoman Vivienne Stearns-Elliott said only five of the hospital's 2,200 employees have been called up so far. Two or three of the reservists are believed to be in the gulf region.

Gas masks sales, inquiries skyrocketingBaltimore may be a world away from the war in the Middle East, but some people around here aren't taking any chances."

John Arnick is going back to Annapolis.Making a political recovery just seven months after being forced to withdraw from a District judgeship because of sexist remarks to women, the former delegate was selected by the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee last night to occupy the same seat from which he had resigned to become a judge.The committee -- voting 26-2, with two abstentions -- acted on a unanimous recommendation from the five members of the 7th Legislative District Central Committee.

America is at war, but Baltimore-area residents seem to be taking it in stride.Although some people displayed a patriotic bent yesterday, getting out flags and yellow ribbons, most adjusted quickly to life while the conflict in the Persian Gulf went on.Others reacted quite differently by canceling trips out of fear.There was a brief run on flags -- Iraqi flags -- at the Flags, Banners and Pennants store downtown."Somebody wanted to burn them," said William Barr, the store manager.American flags are also selling well.

I KINDA FEEL sorry for President Bush," said Slats Grobnik, "the way he's bein' treated by all the ingrates."What ingrates are you referring to?"The ones in the polls who don't think he's doin' a great job no more."

William and Sharon Rappold were invited to ride in three Independence Day parades in the county this year.But the Forest Hill couple declined the invitations. To them, the Fourth of July was just another day without their sons.The Rappolds' sons, both general enlistment Marines who served inthe Persian Gulf war, have yet to return to their regular assignments, even though the war ended four months ago.Brian, 19, has been sent to Japan, and William, 21, is posted at the Iraq-Turkey border.

THE PEOPLE magazine cover said it all. Not only has the self-aggrandizing end of the Persian Gulf war now taken longer than the fighting itself, but it has taken on show-biz proportions the likes of which even Bob Hope may never have dared to dream.Our local news crews, camped out on the concourse at Baltimore-Washington International or in the recesses of VFW halls throughout the city, have not yet tired of pushing a camera into the face of a sometimes dazed and embarrassed man or woman who has just returned to friendly shores.

Gray skies and a steady drizzle failed to -- spirits throughout the metropolitan area as yellow ribbons, flags and prayers of thanksgiving flowed at a series of rallies held in support of American troops in the Persian Gulf.At Joseph Rash Memorial Field in the Inner Harbor yesterday, about 500 people heard Delores Lynn sing the national anthem.In Baltimore County, about 1,000 people waved flags, ate cupcakes and hot dogs and bought posters and T-shirts at Cox Park in Essex. And 75 people gathered in the parking lot of the Old Court Metro Station in Pikesville to listen to speeches and songs.

The outside of Gary and Rose Llewellyn's Frostburg home, which is decorated with flags, numerous yellow ribbons, and a 12-foot long red, white and blue banner, is ready for the Fourth of July. But inside, it is still Christmas.In the living room of their Frostburg home, the 7-foot tall artificial Christmas tree is still up. It was waiting for Sergeant Llewellyn when he came home May 14 after serving eight months in Saudi Arabia with the 372nd Military Police Company, U.S. Army xTC Reserve, headquartered in Cresaptown in Allegany County.