Carol Pingelski Hotaling

Carol Pingelski Hotaling, of Clifton Park, is a tremendous patriot and has been a fierce and tireless advocate for our active duty service men and women.

Ms. Hotaling is affectionately known as the “Yellow Ribbon Lady,” having made tens of thousands of yellow ribbons with bows over the past 29 years to distribute to individuals, businesses, municipalities, and family members of United States service members stationed around the world. The yellow ribbons are reminders to keep our nation’s active duty troops in people’s minds, thoughts and prayers.

Yellow Ribbon Day honors the service and sacrifice of the American heroes who wear our nation’s uniform and put their lives at risk for our safety and security; the day also recognizes and thanks the families these heroes leave behind.

Thanks to Ms. Hotaling’s love of country and dedication to our troops, Yellow Ribbon Day is commemorated every year at Halfmoon Town Hall. In 2006, the New York State Legislature began to commemorate Yellow Ribbon Day on April 9 of each year to recognize that the freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a very high price for those serving in the military. The event was originally organized in honor of Matt Maupin, the first prisoner of war captured in the Iraq War.

Ms. Hotaling says she champions Yellow Ribbon Day and creates yellow ribbons to “make a difference in the world” so people will always “remember all our troops.” She has been known to visit airports to present yellow ribbons to returning service members, and has made thousands of ribbons for patriotic parades and homecomings, as well as memorials and funerals for those who served.

Ms. Hotaling has received many accolades for her efforts to support our troops, including the prestigious Commander’s Award for Public Service from the U.S. Department of the Navy for her work to establish the first family readiness group in support of a National Guard division deployed during wartime. She also earned the National Guard Community Purple Award for her service to overseas Guard members and their families.

Ms. Hotaling, a Shenendehowa High School graduate and Halfmoon native, has also helped Yellow Ribbon Day to be commemorated nationally by the U.S. House of Representatives.