PATRIOTISM SWELLS WITH PARADES, FLAGS AND YELLOW RIBBONS HERE

RAISING THE LAMP OF LIBERTY: A scaled-down model of the Statue of Liberty stands in front of the Thorngate manufacturing plant in Cape Girardeau. The statue, surrounded by flags, was erected last week to honor relatives of employees who are serving in the armed forces in the Persian Gulf. (RAN PAGE 4A)

MARBLE HILL Doris Deck witnessed something Saturday she said she hasn't seen since World War II.

As she watched a parade progress through the streets of Marble Hill to show support for American troops in the Middle East, she talked of what she recalls as the only other time in U.S. history that patriotism has been so popular.

Deck said it's a feeling that has emerged since the start of the Persian Gulf War.

"It reminds me of when I was a girl during World War II," she said. "My sisters and I would go to the movie theater and before the show they'd play the national anthem.

"We'd salute the flag and we'd cry. Everyone felt that way."

Deck said that children were taught to stand and salute the flag. She said that type of patriotism is coming back, especially among the older generations and children.

"I remember when the flag was really something," she said. "Now, people burn it. I just can't stand to see it."

Deck wore a red, white and blue shirt and a yellow and orange ribbon. She said the orange ribbon is meant to honor soldiers currently being held as prisoners of war.

The parade, organized by the city of Marble Hill, involved about 50 school, church and civic groups.

American flags hung from nearly every store front in town and, despite 30-degree temperatures, people from Marble Hill as well as neighboring towns came out to watch.

Deck, of Glen Allen, said five of her nephews are currently serving in the gulf, while three more are set to be deployed there in the next few weeks.

"Being able to come out and watch something like this, it just makes you feel better," she said.

Jim Bollinger, Marble Hill fire chief and organizer of the parade, said residents wanted to honor people from the area who are serving in the gulf, and those who have already lost their lives in the war.

"We wanted to show our support for the troops and the war effort," he said. "No one likes war, but it's a reality of life. There are the dreamers of the world who think you can protest it and it'll all go away, but that's not going to happen."

Bollinger said there are at least 25 men and women from Marble Hill and several nearby towns who are stationed in the gulf.

Bollinger said he was pleased with the turnout. He said city officials only decided last week to hold the parade.

"A number of people said we wouldn't get people to come to the parade because it was too cold," he said. "I guess we showed them."

Following the parade, an assembly was held at the pavilion in the city park. The crowd sang patriotic songs and pledged their allegiance to the flag. A moment of silence was observed for soldiers who have died in the war.

Bollinger, a former Navy pilot, said he's amazed, but thrilled about the way people are showing support for the troops.

"Almost every business has a flag in front of it, and people are driving around with flags on their cars," he said. "It's really long overdue."

In Cape Girardeau, patriotic symbols are also unmistakable. Yellow and red-white-and-blue ribbons adorn everything from houses to people's sleeves.

Last week, a scaled-down model of the Statue of Liberty was erected in front of the Thorngate Ltd. plant.

Frank Adams, manager of the Cape Girardeau clothing manufacturing firm, said the statue is meant to honor the sons, daughters and other relatives of employees who are serving in the gulf.

Members of a Southeast Missouri State University fraternity were busy Saturday putting up a 20-by-50 foot American flag between their two fraternity houses, located at 516 Washington.

Steve Randazzo, president of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, said two members are military reservists who may be sent to the gulf in the next few weeks.

"We thought it was a good way to show the community that we're behind the troops," he said. "We plan to keep it up until the troops come home."

Randazzo said the flag had been donated the fraternity by a former member.

Mike Bogad, a member of the fraternity, said many of his fraternity brothers have relatives in the gulf.

"It (the war) really hits home for us," he said. "We want to wish them luck and hope they come home safely."