by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- Ribbons of remembrance.

Terry Anaszewicz of Cuyahoga Falls hopes more than 250,000 inches of ribbon will tie the community together in a simple, yet stark, salute to servicemen who have lost their lives since the U.S. occupation of Iraq began in March 2003.

Anaszewicz is organizing "Ribbons of Honor," an event being sponsored by the city of Cuyahoga Falls, May 17 at Oakwood Cemetery, 2420 Oakwood Ave., at 9 a.m. A & C Welding donated $500 to finance the undertaking which is getting under way -- coincidentally -- on Armed Forces Day.

Anaszewicz is seeking volunteers to affix ribbons to the wrought iron fence surrounding the cemetery, bearing the name, rank, date of death and home city of each military person who has perished in Iraq.

"The death toll as of May 1 is 4,054," according to Anaszewicz. Saying she is not taking a stance either "for" or "against" the war, Anaszewicz says the ribbons are intended to recognize those who have made the supreme sacrifice on behalf of this country.

A single mom who works two full-time jobs, Anaszewicz describes herself as "a passionate person." She has a son, Ryan McFall, in the U.S. Air Force, currently stationed in Georgia. He's destined for deployment overseas, she says, like her brother, Master Sgt. Gary Muckenstrum, who also serves in that branch of the military.

"My son volunteered for the Air Force and he wants to be deployed -- wherever they need him, he is willing to go," Anaszewicz says, "and I think we need to support these young people, everyone who serves this country. We need to say thank you, we appreciate it; your loved one mattered and is missed."

Anaszewicz got the idea for the display during a summertime visit to Manhattan. Touring the city on foot, she says she remembers being transfixed when she unexpectedly came upon a church that had staged a similar display.

"Manhattan is all cement and here were these ribbons, small in scale, but gripping when grouped together. I was touched."

Anaszewicz envisions the local ribbon display as a "fitting" Memorial Day tribute for those who attend the post-parade ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. The city administration intends to keep them up through the Fourth of July.

"[Anaszewicz's] dedication and commitment to recognize those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom goes above and beyond most," said Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don L. Robart.

Two years ago Anaszewicz organized a "healing field" at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. During that three-day event, 2,500 American flags were erected to salute military, safety and emergency personnel.

"Both the flags and ribbons are about forging a human bond," Anaszewicz says, "reminding us of the importance of saying thank you."

E-mail: ewalsh@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 Ext. 3108