"Red Fridays" If you are a American you have to read all of this, it's not that long, I read all of it, and I'm proud and lucky to be a American.........
>
>As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays."
>
>Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was
>in
>the airport, returning home, I heard several pe ople behind me beginning to
>clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the
>greatest
>act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
>
>Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, 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 American 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 home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I
>could
>not be more proud of my country or of our service m en and women a young
>girl,
>not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He
>kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would
>give
>something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any
>older
>than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to
>her
>daddy. Then 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 Marine and had been in Iraq
>for
>11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney
>,
>missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this
>temporarily
>single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled
>together for a brief second. hen 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 mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
>soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing
>no
>more than 6 feet away from 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, their were very few dry eyes,
>including
>my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, 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 American.
>
>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 over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to
>reflect
>our message or our opinions. 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, co-workers, 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 th an 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 COULD CARE LESS THEN HIT THE
>DELETE BUTTON --- Then take my name out of your address book.
