COLFAX - When Susan Norman and Heather Harsh encountered war protesters at President Bush's campaign stops, they launched Operation Yellow Ribbon.

In April, the Colfax mother and daughter decorated 18 downtowns with yellow ribbons donated by Bloomer Plastics.

"We knew the support was out there for the troops," Harsh, 33, said. "By us putting up ribbons, it made people feel good and us feel good."

It also caught the attention of President Bush.

Strong Bush supporters, the women met the president in August when he stopped in Chippewa Falls.

"We were on the front row right behind him," Norman, 55, of Rapid River, Mich., said. "We couldn't believe it. That was the highlight of my life."

Then life got better.

Norman and Harsh received invitations to attend holiday receptions at the White House. Norman went Dec. 2. Harsh will go on Wednesday.

"It's just neat that we got invited - little people like us," Harsh said. "You'd think it'd be rich, corporate people who give thousands of dollars."

Norman took her husband, Lewis, to the White House. The State Room was decorated with flowers and Christmas trees. Food was ample, and the president's band played.

"It's just indescribably beautiful," Norman said. "The feeling I had walking through the East Entrance, you're just stunned. It hits you. You think of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln."

The Normans had their photo taken with the president and first lady. The Bushes made everyone feel special even though 700 people attended the party, Norman said.

"When you meet (President Bush) in the White House, it's overwhelming," she said. "He has got the most friendly, kind, hospitable personality."

Harsh will bring her husband, Les, and 11-year-old daughter, Elayna, who has helped decorate downtowns

"I'm starting to not be able to sleep at night," Harsh said.

The women have turned Operation Yellow Ribbon into a business. They have made 80,000 hand-tied ribbons and employed 37 workers.

The three-foot ribbons sold out at stores this summer. To keep up with demand, Operation Yellow Ribbon rented a building in Sand Creek in June and July. Some employees tied up to 1,000 ribbons a day.

Profits are used to decorate downtowns. The pair has supplied yellow ribbons from River Falls to the Upper Peninsula.

"We will not stop with this," Norman said.

Norman's husband was wounded during the Vietnam War. She didn't want troops fighting in the Middle East to endure similar ridicule.

"That's what propels me," she said. "When the protesting started, we knew we needed to do something."

President Bush must feel the same way. Norman got a call that she will be invited to his inauguration.

Espe can be reached at 833-9206, (800) 236-7077 or troy.espe@ecpc.com.