Local Voices
An English Garden Florist Offers Free Yellow Ribbons in Honor of Fallen Mokena Soldier
Stop in to An English Garden for a free yellow ribbon to display in memory of Aaron Toppen, 19, killed in Afghanistan Monday.
A florist and gift shop in Mokena is helping to distribute yellow ribbons for display in honor of Aaron Toppen.
Toppen, 19, was one of five American troops killed Monday by apparent friendly fire in Afghanistan. Friends of the family are leading an effort to display yellow ribbons throughout town, in honor of their fallen hero.
An English Garden Flowers and Gifts, 11210 Front St., will hand out free yellow ribbons to those who stop in Friday through Sunday.
Family friend Debbie Kowalkowski hopes the ribbons offer a sense of remembrance and peace to the Toppen family.
"This has been a really tough run for everyone," she said of the family. "We're hoping the yellow ribbons bring everyone together, to welcome him home."
Kowalkowski envisions yellow ribbons lining Wolf Road, and also near his family's home on Marjorie Parkway off of 187th Street. Trees, doors—anywhere a yellow ribbon can be affixed, they look forward to it. Family members are unsure when Toppen will be arriving home, but Kowalkowski encourages residents to display the ribbons as soon as possible.
"We'll take yellow ribbons wherever we can get 'em," she said. "If they see an empty tree and want to tie a yellow ribbon to it, go for it."
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