red friday

[trout whisperer]

 If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

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 American's 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  homecoming 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.

 

[JohnWester]

a side note here... how many have seen the movie Taking Chance?  http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/
if you have not... see it. and don't forget a box on Kleenex.