Ike Mumpower has printed signs to support the troops,
which can be seen across the region.
Photo by Earl Neikirk (Bristol Herald Courier) 
BRISTOL, Tenn. – It started out as a small, 
one-weekend project but has escalated into 
a long-term enterprise."I just wanted to support the troops 
who were leaving, so I made about 60 signs," Ike Mumpower said 
of the now-familiar yellow "God speed is with you" 
placards seen all over town.The sentiment is clear. 
Those first signs appeared after Bristol’s Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 
of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment left June 20 
for training in Mississippi and, ultimately, duty in Iraq. 
After the send-off, soldiers at the Kingsport armory asked about
obtaining the signs for a fund-raiser, companies sought them as 
a marketing opportunity, and people inquired about buying them for 
their front yards. The sign-maker sensed an opportunity 
to help the troops. Mumpower sold 300 signs to the 
Kingsport armory cheaply enough to allow it to make a profit 
by selling them to members of the community. Now, the armory 
has placed an order for 200 more. Mumpower also has 
sold 200 signs to the armory in Bristol.

Patriotic signs are familiar territory to Mumpower, who produced 
the equally ubiquitous "Freedom is not just a word" signs 
earlier this year. Mumpower brokered a deal with Tri-Cities Signs, 
which markets his placards, through which he donates a dollar to the 
American Legion Family Trust Fund for each sign sold. To date, 
he estimates he has donated about $80 from sign sales. The charity 
provides financial assistance to the families of the deployed. "This 
is a great way for regular people to show their support for the troops 
by helping them," Mumpower said. Besides the signs, Mumpower has spun 
another venture he hopes will support the troops, a patriotic country 
music album. An amateur guitarist, Mumpower was inspired to write music 
about the war on terror after reading poetry his wife wrote in memory 
of her late sister. "I’ve done it all at home," he said. "I’m no artist, 
just a businessman."

The album, called "P.O.W. M.I.A. Never Forgotten," features titles like 
"America’s Heroes," "Welcome Home Our Troops," and "Angel of Peace."  
Mumpower distributes his music only through his promotion company, 
but his songs have found their way onto the play lists 
of radio stations and various country music charts across Europe.  
"Angel of Peace" stands at No. 50 on the European Country Music 
Access chart.

"I think I’ve done pretty well for not being a professional artist," 
he said. Mumpower doesn’t rule out going commercial with the album 
by partnering with a store but said all revenues would be donated to 
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, military charities 
or a missing children’s fund.

"I hope to help out in some way," he said.

cmanjrekar@bristolnews.com | (276) 669-2181