Yellow Ribbons Find Temporary Home

A small ceremony was held on the lawn of the Congregational Church in East Hampton on Sunday to rededicate the yellow ribbons honoring local service members deployed overseas.

The ribbons had been tied to the tree at the Village Center traffic triangle until the October snow brought the tree down. The Rev. Thomas Kennedy offered the use of one of the church's trees until a new one was planted.

As far as a permanent solution, offers of help continue to come in.

Since Dan Kain did a segment on the tree for WFSB Ch. 3, Ann McLaughlin, chairperson of the Welcome Home Veterans/Yellow Ribbon Committee, said Paul Peszynski of Paul's & Sandy's Too and his family wanted to donate a tree. Dan Peszynski offered to coordinate the work to be done. Steve Parson of Grasshopper Landscapping, Bruce Strong from B&D Earthscape and Ray Nichols of Liberty Outdoor Services also offered their services to do whatever needs to be done.

"Absolutely wonderful," McLaughlin said about the offers of help. "All those guys came, the landscapers calling up, "What can we do? We'll do anything you want." And Paul, as soon as that aired on television, called and said his family wanted to donate a tree. He's such a wonderful person anyway ... and he does so much in town."

First, however, McLaughlin says a permit is needed from the state, and Public Works Director Keith Hayden is helping obtain one.

For now, the tree on the church lawn will do fine. Three ribbons were tied to the tree on Sunday and local Cub Scouts planted flags during the ceremony.

The Bradford Pear had stood at the traffic triangle since 1974, when it was planted by the Belltown Garden Club. For 60 years the club has tended to the garden located at the triangle. For more information on the Belltown Garden Club's connection to the triangle and its history, click here.

Four other service members will be deploying overseas during December and their ribbons will be tied soon after they depart.