Posted on 01/11/2007 5:45:21 AM PST by mr_hammer
In lieu of the POTUS speech last night I think this is appropriate.
Red Friday
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL AND YOU SEE WHAT IS MEANT BY RED FRIDAY.
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but I 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.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!
wow, that definitely blurred my screen... very sad, but beautiful story... thanks for posting it...
My daughter had this duty while she was posted at Ft Bragg.
I will be proud to wear red tomorrow and am pinging NC folks to all do the same.
God bless our military men and women!
Red Friday Ping/bump
...need new monitor after wife read this e-mail.
I saw a Canadian version of this one, so it's been going around. Still good though...
I just want to tell everyone that the Elementary school that work for has a "wear red on Friday" every single Friday. They even give incentives for classrooms with the most participation.
We also have one "Friday Flag Day" per month. We are treated to either a Boy Scout troop, Girl scout troop, or military Color Guard leading the entire school in the Pledge of Allegiance!
Not all schools are worthless.
Sorry. Just does not happen. And vice versa..
Nice story and a tear jerky no doubt but thats all it seems to be is a story. I still enjoyed reading it again
incoming mail... need to run out for about an hour... let me know your thoughts if you don't mind... thx, dave
bump
ping...
You do realize, don't you -- that a civilian is telling the story. And, not the Marine?
Will do.
Amen. BTTT on your post.
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