TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Waving flags and hanging yellow ribbons might be the traditional ways to show support for America’s troops overseas, but for the not-so-faint of heart, tattoos provide a show of patriotism on their skin.
Rogene Handlon, co-owner of Fine Line Tattoo Parlor in Topeka, said she’s seen an increase in requests for tattoos with American flags, eagles, yellow roses, weapons and military symbols.
Handlon said patriotic tattoos are usually popular during wartime.
‘‘After the first Gulf War, oh, my God, that’s all we did was eagles and flags,’’ Handslon said.
George Stratton, owner of a tatoo shop in Arkansas City said he has had many requests for patriotic themes since the war started.
One customer, whose son is stationed in the Middle East, requested an Iraqi freedom design incorporating his son’s name, Handlon said, but most requests haven’t been that creative.
Handlon and her husband, John, also run Fine Line stores in Junction City, Manhatttan and Lawrence. She said the patriotic tattoos are typically more popular in rural areas and near military bases.
She said military families were requesting ‘‘yellow roses galore’’ at the Manhattan shop, and artists in Junction City reported many more requests for military tattoos than those in Topeka or Lawrence.
Handlon said there was a flood of business at the Junction City location after troops from nearby Fort Riley returned from the first Persian Gulf war.
‘‘Come June, when they came home, we had them lined up out the door for days,’’ she said.
Cathy Seisert, owner of Creative Tattoos in Topeka, said there has been a slight increase in requests for patriotic tattoos at her shop.
‘‘There was probably more right after Sept. 11 than there are right now,’’ Seisert said.
Jill Brannam, who works at Fine Line’s Topeka store, said she got her first patriotic tattoo after the Sept. 11 attacks, but plans to get another soon. Brannam had the Statue of Liberty etched on the front of her lower right leg, the Brooklyn Bridge and New York skyline wrapping around her calf.
Brannam said she plans to have the word ‘‘Freedom’’ in the colors of the American flag tattooed around the top of her ankle.
‘‘I’m patriotic. I love the country,’’ Brannam said. ‘‘I’m proud of how the administration is handling everything right now. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, that’s for sure.’’
Russell ‘‘Uncle’’ Bishop, owner of Skin Illustrations in Lawrence, said the requests aren’t just for supporters at home.
‘‘Now we’re having lots of guys coming in before they go to basic (training),’’ Bishop said. ‘‘They’re coming in and getting their first tattoo.’’
