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 If
the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...
(This was the information sent to me)
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed
a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two
and two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been
invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he
was heading home.
'No' he responded.
'Heading out' I asked?
'No. I'm escorting a soldier home.'
'Going to pick him up?'
'No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq, I'm taking him
home to his family.'
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch
to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he
didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to
the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many
conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, 'Thank you. Thank
you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.'
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made
the following announcement over the intercom:
'Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the
honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps
join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home
to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we
open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and
receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt
sign.'
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant
saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action
made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what
you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every
Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be
called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are
voicing our love for God, Country and Home in record breaking
numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like
you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast
majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing
solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect
starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the
troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every
red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear
something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United
States on every Friday a sea of red much like a home coming football
game in the bleachers.
If every one
of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances,
coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA
is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent'
majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the
media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make
things better for you?' is We need your support
and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with
class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every
Friday.
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