THE GULF WAR: The Home Front : Symbols: POW Bracelets

In a throwback to Vietnam, Americans are starting to wear thin bands of copper, aluminum or brass to signify determination that Gulf War prisoners WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. Barbara Bush has been wearing one, made of nickel-plated copper, since December, when the crisis was called Operation Desert Shield. Efforts this time are smaller and decentralized, probably totaling fewer than 100,000 bracelets so far, some with personalized inscriptions and some more general. Several groups are selling and distributing the bracelets. Consumer agencies have issued warnings to look closely at the offers, suggesting that there are questions about the reliability of some sales groups that depend on mail or phone.