red Fridays

[kenw]

I don't know how long this will stay posted but I had to give it a try!

 

Red Shirt

 

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.

Edited November 1, 2009 by kenw
please delete, duplicate

[Freebird]

Well, you somehow posted it twice so I DID delete one of them. Otherwise, I find it to be a heartwarming story and have no problem with it being posted. Anybody who wishes to turn it into any type of political debate has the problem.

[Kregerdoodle]

Great Post!! Thanks for sharing, and reminding me of the life that I and many others take for granted.

 

God Bless our Troups, Past, Present and Future!!

 

God Speed!

 

K

[mike_kelly_68]

Great story, we need to be as proud of our soldiers, sailors and airmen, as they are of each other.

[OutlawRider]

Great story, Thank you freebird for allowing it. Prayers for all our troops and thanks for the jop they do.

[Yammer Dan]

THANK YOU Sgt. Steeley.

[Brake Pad]

The First day it was brought up. I asked all my employees to wear red shirts to work on fridays, and I explaned why. I also made it easy for them.

I bought 2 dozen Red shirts.

 

No one forgets............

Edited November 2, 2009 by Brake Pad

[oldandcrotchety]

As it happens, I just bought a bright red shirt a few days ago. After I got home and looked at it more, I got to wondering if maybe it was just a little too loud. Now I have a good reason to wear it and it will become my Friday shirt. Fred

[Rocket]

Good to see that you are following our lead in this. This was started in Canada, years ago, shortly after going into Afganistan.

 

I would like to wear the red T shirts at work myself, but can't. As they are not military issue, can't be worn while in uniform.

 

Rememberance Day is coming up soon, on Nov 11, be there at your local cenotaph.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8poZshcDj8g]YouTube - A Pittance of Time[/ame]

[Aussie Annie]

Now I know why I love wearing the color "red"

I will think of all the troops over there every time I do now. "Lest We Forget"

 

Rocket: Being very serious here, could you wear red underwear on Fridays?? Or a red square of paper in your pocket on Fridays?? Then you can feel you have joined in to honour them.

[davecb]

Wow...tear time..Spent 2 tours in Nam.......

[DragonRider]

I think all of us would have a problem with Don if he had a problem with it........but we all know that not to be a problem.............

 

We have several employess including myself that do this where I work. Just a small thing for such a great big thing they do for us.

Thanks...............

Well, you somehow posted it twice so I DID delete one of them. Otherwise, I find it to be a heartwarming story and have no problem with it being posted. Anybody who wishes to turn it into any type of political debate has the problem.