The Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon

Matthew Cook, a seventeen-year-old at Chadwick School, founded the Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon as a way to honor the brave service men and women of the military who "go the extra mile" to defend America's freedom. He is currently gathering young people’s signatures across the country on his way to the White House, Pentagon, and Capitol in Washington, D.C for a press conference and final signing ceremony. Once the ribbon is sent to Iraq, troops will cut smaller ribbons from it, each with a signature symbolizing a young American’s heart. Soldiers wear those ribbons proudly until they come home.

Matthew Cook's Message

In addition to thanking our soldiers for protecting our country's freedom, Matthew hopes to encourage a dialogue among young people when they sign the ribbon. "The corollary of freedom is individual responsibility," says Cook. "If our soldiers are willing to go to battle to die for freedom, here at home we must be willing to live up to it. When kids sign the Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon, they think about the importance of freedom and what it means to them. With the freedom that our soldiers protect, we must practice making the right choices in our every day lives."

The Ribbon's Progress

So far the ribbon is over half complete, with around 7,000 of a total 10,000 signatures. By Veteran's Day the ribbon will weigh 450 pounds when FedEx ships it to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ribbon has traveled to over half of all the states in America and received widespread media coverage on TV stations, radio shows, and newspapers. Team leaders are currently collecting signatures at local venues in their regions of the United States.

Where Has the Ribbon Been?

So far, the Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon has reached bookstores, libraries, parks, malls, schools, churches, expos, hospitals, memorials, and conventions states across the country. On August 31 the ribbon arrived from its cross-country tour to North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Colorado, and Utah--fourteen states in fourteen days. At many of the locations Matthew gave talks to inspire young people to become leaders themselves.
This picture depicts a visit to Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, where Staff Sergeant Shipley accompanied Matthew when he gave his talk with the sick children. Stan Chambers appeared from KTLA news to run a story.
In September, Congressman Rohrabacher will help Matthew take the ribbon all the way to Washington, D.C. for a press conference in the Pentagon and a kick off of the "Mile-Long Walk" at the Capitol, in which students, Boy Scouts, and other youth will march a section of the ribbon the entire length of the Mall.

Make a Donation

To make a donation to the Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon, please make all checks payable to "Mile-Long Yellow Ribbon" and send them to Homefront America, 19 Amber Sky Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. We are grateful for contributions to help us make our way across the country en route to Washington, D.C. for a signing ceremony at the White House. For more questions, email Matthew Cook at mscook100@hotmail.com.
Headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Homefront America, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable volunteer organization comprised of military veterans and their families, educators, business professionals, and civilian patriots who understand the daily sacrifices and hardships of military families. They dedicate themselves to serving our men and women in uniform by honoring and supporting their families at home with compassion, care, guidance, and meaningful assistance in their time of need.

Special Thanks To . . .

We are grateful for the support of corporations and individuals who have sponsored the project. Among them are:

American Honda
California Sign and Banner Company
The Cortez Family
Crowne Plaza Hotel
The Daly Family
Bill Engvall and Family
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Exploris Museum
Green Hills Memorial Park
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn
Intercontinental Hotels
Mariam Issa and Family
Jo-Ann Stores Inc.
The Magic House
Captain Richard Meaux and Family
Mirage Hotel
PizzaHut
Ramada Hotel
The Segerstrom Family
Staybridge Suites
Wally Park
Anonymous Donors

America salutes you!

Links and Articles

1. Homefront America
2. Military Connection
3. Chadwick's Feature on the Ribbon
4. Military articles by Matthew Cook
5. America Supports You
6. Military Salute Reference Forum
7. YB News Article