Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference. While I was in the
airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to
clap and cheer.
I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of
patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms,
As they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was
abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw
the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it
hit me. I'm not alone.
I'm not the only red blooded Australian who still
Loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
Unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can
Go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.
Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our
service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran
up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said "hi," the little
girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The
young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try
and what did she want to give to her daddy.
Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the
biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney,
told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in
Afghanistan for 5 months now.
As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her
father, the young soldier began to tear up.
When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all
Of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.
Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking
walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and
forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to
Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he
told me to give this to you."
He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss
On the cheek.
He finished by saying "Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you
more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.
I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.
As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people
Resumed their applause.
As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry
eyes, including my own.
That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a
Kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and
thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's
good to be an Australian.
RED FRIDAYS
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.
The reason?
Australian's who support our troops used to be called the "silent
majority".
We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home
In record breaking numbers. We are not organised, boisterous or
over-bearing.
We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our
opinions.
Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to
recognise that the vast majority of Australia 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 Australian who
supports our men and women afar will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Australia on every Friday a
sea of red much like a homecoming football team. If every one of us who
loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends,
and family.
