Grab a Yellow Ribbon, Help Line Fallen Soldier's Route Home

An Oak Forest florist will distribute free yellow ribbons for lining the route of Mokena's fallen Aaron Toppen, 19, killed by apparent friendly fire in Afghanistan last week. 

Catherine's Gardens, 15146 S. Cicero Ave., will provide free ribbons, beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday until 5 p.m.—or until the 2,500 ribbons run out.

Toppen, is expected to arrive back in Chicago later this week. 

"We are looking for all available help in making sure the entire route is covered with these yellow ribbons," friend of the business Mike Cozzi wrote of the effort. "We need all hands on deck to help!" 

Those who take a ribbon from Catherine's will be assigned a designated stretch of the route, Cozzi said. 

Mokena has organized a similar effort, asking residents to display yellow ribbons throughout town. 

Toppen, a 2013 graduate of Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, departed for Afghanistan in March—a month after the death of his father Ronald Toppen, Sun-Times Media reports.

"Aaron was a funny, caring, loving kid,” his sister Amanda Gralewski told Sun-Times reporters. “He loved to fish. He loved his friends. He loved being outdoors. He loved his family. He would give the shirt off his back for anyone.”

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."

Sign up for our email newsletter.