Yellow Ribbons

Boston. The country I walk through these last days of war is fully outfitted in its civilian uniform. Yellow ribbons hang like badges of belonging on everything from trees to storm doors to lapels. American flags line streets and mark homes as if on permanent dress parade.Ambivalence has gone underground for the duration and we are expected to respond with the unanimity of a trained troop. Those who doubt, those who cannot join the regimental cheering, have felt the chill wind of exclusion, a patriotic form of shunning.

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.

Seven women -- all of them mothers, all but one mothers of sons -- pull their chairs in a circle and talk about the difficulty of wanting peace.Across America, there are countless support groups for relatives of troops serving in the Persian Gulf, support groups serving the needs of many who have been caught up in this war or on its fringes.But until now, say these women, who gathered for the first time yesterday in a bare room over a Baltimore restaurant, support has been hard to come by for those opposing the war."

I GOT A PROBLEM," Slats Grobnik said. "See, I'm behind our troops over there, but I don't know what to do about it. I don't wanna just sit around watching Blitz Woofer and these other TV guys. I wanna do something."No problem. Have you thought about flying a flag above your home?"What good will that do?"Well, I suppose it would let your neighbors know that you feel patriotic."I don't care what my neighbors think. All I want from them is not to walk their dogs on my front grass, the slobs.

If you are a county employee who drives a county government vehicle during your workday, be advised there are now guidelines to follow ifyou want to decorate the vehicle to show support for the troops serving in the Persian Gulf war.But if you drive a school bus, don't bother decorating the outside of it, school administrators say. It's prohibited.The proper decor on county-owned vehicles allowed by the new county director of administration: A small yellow ribbon or a small American flag may be displayed on the outside.

EVER SINCE yellow ribbons captivated the American psyche ten years ago, various observers have tried to thread the remembrance symbol as far back through American history as the Civil War. Popular sentiment likes to believe that women began tying yellow ribbons in their hair when they waited for their sweethearts to return from battle.Library of Congress researcher Gerald Parsons finds it more likely, however, that the romance of yellow ribbons comes from a John Wayne movie and an error in a Mitch Miller songbook.

Jet, tank games nab windfallMicroProse, a Hunt Valley computer software firm, has profited nicely from sales of its realistic combat computer games, several of which are modeled on American weapons now pounding Iraq.The company's F-15 Strike Eagle, F-19 Stealth Fighter and M-1 Tank Platoon games have done particularly well since the Persian Gulf war began, company spokeswoman Kathy Gilmore said yesterday. "We've been swamped with calls," she added.The F-15 Strike Eagle II game, which sells for $54.95, includes a Persian Gulf theater in which living-room pilots can test their skills.

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."

Pat Lazenby had to go all the way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to get the pale yellow trash bags that she cuts into strips and transforms into her own version of the yellow ribbons that are proliferating on homes, businesses, buttonholes and car antennae to show support of U.S. troops in the gulf.She hasn't been able to find appropriately colored bags any closer to home, but that hasn't stopped her personal war effort, said Ms. Lazenby, a resident of Brooklyn Park who has three nephews serving in the Persian Gulf.

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.