[R-G] Decals for troops disappearing from supporter's vehicles

[Anthony Fenton]

September 16, 2007
Ribbons unravel
Decals for troops disappearing from supporter's vehicles
By NICKI THOMAS, SUN MEDIA

An Edmonton man is enraged after his "Support Our Troops" decals were  
ripped from his cars - and not for the first time.

"I'm a little incensed that someone would do that," said Roland  
Zachev, after the magnetic ribbons were removed from both his work  
van and his wife's car for the second time.

He said that it was obvious the decals hadn't fallen off since pieces  
of them could be found stuck behind the van's Ford logo.

"They shouldn't try to force their ideas on others," Zachev said of  
the culprits, who operate in the University area where he and his  
wife work.

"The more they take them, the more I'm going to put them back on," he  
said, adding that Canadians should be thankful for the sacrifices the  
military has made.

Proceeds from the sale of the magnetic ribbons - which represent a  
visible show of support for military personnel and their families -  
go toward the programs and services provided by the Military Family  
Resource Centre.

The ribbons caused a stir in Calgary this summer, when city council  
turned down a proposal to place them on city-owned vehicles.

Edmonton's city council accepted the idea with no hesitation.

"The city has an excellent relationship with the military community,"  
said city spokesman Shawna Randolph, adding that 1,500 of the decals  
have been made available to city vehicle drivers.

Patti Hartnagel, a member of the local anti-war group Women in Black,  
was surprised to hear that someone would rip a ribbon from Zachev's car.

She said it's his right to display the decal but called the symbol  
divisive.

She said it creates the false dichotomy that if you don't have one,  
you don't support the troops.

"I don't know anyone who doesn't support the troops," she said,  
adding that she feels there are more constructive ways to show support.