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Untangling the Yellow Ribbon

By Jen Seipp, Communications Advisor

Over the years, the Support Our Troops Yellow Ribbon has evolved into a powerful, well-recognized symbol of support for Canadian Forces members and their families. Displaying the yellow ribbon demonstrates that, regardless of political affiliation, Canadians appreciate the dedication of the men and women who serve our country.

In addition to being a symbol of personal solidarity for our troops, the yellow ribbon is a unifying symbol of mutual support among Canadian Forces members. As such, the yellow ribbon is proudly displayed by military members and organizations within the Canadian Forces on everything from military sports team uniforms to promotional posters for mess events. Building on this role, the yellow ribbon is also used as a symbol for the morale and welfare programs delivered by Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS), including CANEX, SISIP Financial Services, Personnel Support Programs, Casualty Support Management, as well as the charitable Support Our Troops Funds. 

To ensure the integrity of the symbol in all of its roles, the trade-mark for the Support Our Troops Yellow Ribbon is held by the Minister of National Defence on behalf of the Canadian Forces. Registering the symbol as a trade-mark means that the yellow ribbon image cannot be reproduced without permission from the Canadian Forces, as represented by CFPFSS. The trade-mark also protects the official symbol from being mixed up with other, similar yellow ribbon images which cause confusion, and therefore lessen the impact of the symbol.

All of this legal language may seem rather harsh, but in fact CFPFSS encourages the appropriate use of the yellow ribbon image wherever possible. The most common uses for the symbol that CFPFSS licenses are:

1. Personal use: Canadians wishing to display a yellow ribbon are heartily encouraged to do so. The easiest way for Canadians to display the ribbon is to visit a CANEX store in person or online at www.canex.ca/wyn, and choose from a variety of low-cost, high quality Support Our Troops Yellow Ribbon items, including window decals, car magnets, clothing and more. All of the proceeds from the sale of yellow ribbon items are invested in CFPFSS morale and welfare programs, so that each purchase also makes a tangible contribution to help military personnel and their families.
   
2. Charitable use: Canadian individuals, organizations and businesses often wish to organize fundraising events for the Support Our Troops Funds, including the Military Families Fund, the Soldier On Fund, the Hospital Comforts Fund, and the CF Personnel Assistance Fund. From high profile galas to community barbecues, CFPFSS is happy to license the use of yellow ribbon to help organizations and individuals promote charitable events and activities that benefit the military community.
   
3. Public displays of support: The yellow ribbon image may also be licensed to create a public display of support for our troops so long as no profit may be derived from its display. Organizations have obtained permission to reproduce the yellow ribbon for public display on a wide variety of unique items, including professional sports team uniforms, municipal banners, town signs, and hockey helmets.
   
4. Businesses and for-profit organizations: Like individual Canadians, businesses and for-profit organizations are welcome to purchase Support Our Troops Yellow Ribbon items from CANEX and display the yellow ribbon in their place of work (for instance, businesspersons have chosen to wear lapel pins, attach magnets to company vehicles, or put up a window decal in their stores). Canadian businesses are not, however, authorized to display the yellow ribbon image in their advertisements, on their signage, or in any other manner intended to gain a profit. The Communications Policy of the Government of Canada forbids the use of government symbols to advertise or appear to endorse a business, person or organization, and this includes the yellow ribbon.

By displaying the yellow ribbon proudly and appropriately, Canadian Forces members, civilians, and organizations help to ensure that it remains an enduring symbol of solidarity and support. If you have any questions, concerns, or need more information, please contact the CFPFSS communications team.

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MW Team Updates • Director General Personnel & Family Support Services
January 2012 • Serving Those Who Serve • www.cfpsa.com • mw@cfpsa.com