Red Friday

[Wildcat12]

I got this in my e-mail this morning. Sounds like a good idea to me!


If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...

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 had 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 death 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 that 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 t o 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 we 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 it continues each and every Friday until the troops all return 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
homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every
one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, it
will not be long before the USA is covered in red and
it will let our troops know that 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.