Red Friday! Please Read

[SWAMPER]

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 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.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.

IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!   
 

[*FFC*]

That's pretty strong..... 

[rednk1980]

Well Said  Having family who served over seas i would be proud to send on the word and wear red on friday and every friday there after. 

[BLACKDOG]

 
Seen this a few times, but always good to remember

[SWAMPER]

I agree that we dont support the troops as much as we should most of us see the Iraq war and see it as a distant affair but its pretty much at home for the friends and family members that have ppl in the military I strongly encurage ppl to wear red of fridays

PJR USMC

[Gittinit]

as c child I never unerstood,as an adolescent i didn't want to,as a young adult I overlooked it. Now as a parent of two young children I too want to say thankyou. Not only do I thank those who give their lives but to those who lead and those who follow.
              LIVE    LAUGH     LOVE

[abnormaltoy]

I will buy a red shirt just to wear on Fridays! I may (as I have before) go stand across from the protesters at DM airbase and see whatI can do to make them feel stupid.

[SWAMPER]

I own two and they both say USMC

[abnormaltoy]

I own two and they both say USMC

I think if I wore a USMC shirt people would know by my greek god physique (or geek god) that I am not now nor have I ever been in the Marines!

I guess I could say it stands for US Marlin Crawlers!

[kneedownnate]

I'm in a similar boat.  If I wore a usmc shirt people would just point and laugh.....more than they already do I mean.

[abnormaltoy]

I'm in a similar boat.  If I wore a usmc shirt people would just point and laugh.....more than they already do I mean.

Maybe, but you could at least haul ass away on your bike...my walker ain't really cookin'!

[SWAMPER]

lol well you know what when I first wanted to join I was over my weight limit im 6ft tall and use to weigh 235 and for enrollment I lost 10 pounds (in less than a week) I still need to go down to 207 atleast before I leave for boot.....and trust me I am

[topar]

This is a great post!  Good Luck in Boot Camp Swamper and keep your head down when your done with Boot Camp.  I was in the Navy but got out in 93.

[kneedownnate]

Maybe, but you could at least haul ass away on your bike...my walker ain't really cookin'!

Your walker is faster than my bike right now!  I sold some bodywork off it to buy a pistol, then found out I didn't have 2 things on the same address so couldn't buy it. 

Good luck swampy, I'm sure you'll lose the weight you need when you go in if you don't ahead of time!

[blackdiamond]

 

It is interesting to note that "Red Friday" seems to have originated in Canada.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/redfriday.asp