AFTERMATH OF WAR: The Home Front : Symbols: Empire State Salute

The EMPIRE STATE BUILDING in New York City will be bathed in yellow lights to honor the troops coming home from Operation Desert Storm. The 102-story building had been lit up in red, white and blue for the duration of the Gulf War. But now that it’s over, the colors will be changed to yellow to honor to returning troops. “The lighting of the Empire State Building in yellow will serve as a beacon of gratitude for the men and women in our armed forces who have served so bravely in the Middle East for the past seven months,” said LEONA HEMSLEY, who along with her husband, Harry, owns Helmsley-Spear Inc., which manages the building. The building’s lights are visible from a distance of 80 miles in clear weather.