The yellow ribbons that seemed to bloom overnight in Augusta and Fall Creek carry an important message

"It's basically to show support fo the troops," Heather Harsh of COlfax said.

Harsh heard that moral was low with United States service men and women overseas. She wanted to send a positive message to troops to help make their jobs a little easier.

"This brings them something positive," Harsh said.

Harsh placed the yellow ribbons with the help of her mother Susan Norman of Michigan and sister Jessica Holum of Fall Creek on Thurs., April 29 after receiving permission from city and village.

Harsh hopes the ribbons show service men and women's families that they are remembered as well.

"The families really need that support, too," Harsh said.

Bloomer Plastics donated 150 lbs. of yellow plastic to Harsh for the project. She and other volunteers placed ribbons in many communities including Bloomer, Stanley and Altoona. They are also responsible for the yellow ribbonsfound on Regis High School's fence on Hwy 53 and at Eau Claire Municipal Airport.

Harsh has made so many ribbons that only two ro;;s of yellow plastics are left.

HArsh is now working on a website to help people order yellow ribbon "so people in other towns can do it on their own," she said.