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 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 a far,
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.