Amanda011784
10-31-2007, 08:57 PM
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 had 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 death 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 that 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
Steele y 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 we are voicing our love for God, country
and home in record-breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous o r
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 it continues each and every Friday until
the troops all return 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 that 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 PLEASE
SEND THIS ON.
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 had 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 death 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 that 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
Steele y 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 we are voicing our love for God, country
and home in record-breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous o r
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 it continues each and every Friday until
the troops all return 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 that 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 PLEASE
SEND THIS ON.