RedShirtNation...every Friday!
Posted on 04/21/2007 5:26:20 AM PDT by SoldierMedic
I got this in an E-mail:
If the Red Shirt thing is new to you, read below...
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 State s Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what they do so we can live the way we do. 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.
Red Fridays.
Sorry, it didn’t let me preview before it posted, so the piece looks goofy with all the italics. Oh well. Wear red on Fridays.
That must be the reason my monitor is all blurry. Where do we find such wonderful men....
A Blurry Eyed Bump
Thanks for posting this!
We are a military family! Thank you for the chill producing article, and your service.
I will now dawn the “bloody red shirt” on Friday. One thing this old retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant can do to honor the kids on the ground winning this war through there bravery, tenacity, and sacrifice. May God watch over them and do his best to protect them.
Now if you could get this to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilley(sp?), Laura Ingraham, etc. and get them to promote this idea, you will have made a difference.
ping
Gotta go out and buy some red clothes ping...
Even if the story itself is a sham, that shouldn’t take away from the message: Wear red on Fridays to show support for those in harms way.
Taking Chance Home
Posted By Blackfive
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html
The following is Marine Lieutenant Colonel Strobl’s account of escorting the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. It’s a long and beautifully written and it deserves to be read in it’s entirety. It’s about Valor, Honor and Respect. Thanks to Jarhead Dad for sending it to me.
(warning your moniter may become a bit fuzzy while reading this)
I’m sorry, but this doesn’t pass the smell test. Marines only escort Marines home. If a soldier dies, he will be escorted home by a soldier. And no Marine would use the term “soldier” when he’s escorting a fellow Marine home.
Good point, but why would someone lie about this story? That does not seem possible, but then again...
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