Apparently Vicky Roman isn’t the only person who would like to get her hands on a “Support Our Troops” yellow ribbon.
An outpouring of calls and e-mails came in since her story was told in this column last week.
Roman’s nephew was deployed to Iraq last week, and she wanted to find a way to honor his contribution to the war effort.
She had seen a yellow-ribbonlike magnet that she wanted to put on her car, but had been unable to find one. Several people wrote or called to say that they would like a ribbon magnet as well.
Catherine Russell was among those who heard Roman’s request for help.
She bought one when she sent her son off to Iraq for a second tour of duty. She picked it up at a military base in Southern California.
When people started asking about them, she decided to get more and sell them.
“I just sell them at cost because I want people to put them on their cars so people remember that they’re over there,” Russell said. “For me, it’s been wonderful to have people buy the ribbons. There’s a lot of people that just support us and what we’re going through.”
Russell said Ramon and the many others who want the magnets can call her at the Arlington School District at 360-618-6207 to order a ribbon. She sells little ones, about the size of a child’s fist, for $1 and larger ones, the size of an adult’s fist, for $2.
Others called in to say that the ribbons are available at military surplus stores around the region, and online. One source is www.magnetamerica.com. Several others said they are selling them individually at cost, or as a way to raise money for a military-related fund-raiser.
Ramon said she appreciates the big response.
“I’ll probably get them for my whole family,” she said.
Second speed limit sign is needed
QWhat’s happening on Highway 9 in Arlington?
We are happy the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph on Highway 9 north of Eaglefield Drive down to 204th Street NE.
Why is there only one sign designating the 45-mph limit? It’s at the bottom of the hill, very close to 204th Street NE. Why aren’t signs posted immediately north of Eaglefield Drive?
Also, is the speed on Highway 9 south of 204th Street NE 55 mph or should it be 45 mph?
Jean Miller, Arlington
A The state Department of Transportation recently completed a speed and safety study of Highway 9 in Arlington.
Our study revealed drivers were going too fast north of Eaglefield Drive. We lowered the speed limit two weeks ago.
However, our study showed lowering the speed limit south of 204th Street NE could lead to more accidents.
When we change the speed limits, we are judicious about where we place signs. Our experience shows that drivers ignore speed limit signs if there are too many or too few. We feel that one sign is each direction is the right balance for this location.
We’ll assess whether the lower speed limit is working over time.
Jamie Holter, spokeswoman, state Department of Transportation
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