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. [/align][/align][/align]

No, he responded.[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]


Heading out I asked?[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]


No. I'm escorting a soldier home.[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

Going to pick him up?[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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 fami ly and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

"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." [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

Red Fridays.[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a hom e coming 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. [/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

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.[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]


IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]

 

[sm=smiley32.gif]Very moving Sis, it reminded me of when my Mom was presented with a flag for my Dad's service. He wasn't killed in battle, nor even sawthe front lines, but did his part training pilots and keeping the air war effort strong during WWII.
My Brother, who is still with us, served in "Nam", carrying troops in his helicopter and doing med-evacs. He is a bronze and silver star recipiant, and a few purple hearts, of which he refused. He said to give them to someone who deserved them.
I salute all those who have, are, and will serve in the preservation of our freedoms.
"God Bless America, again." [sm=usa.gif]
(Charlie Daniels)

 

Thanks for the story. We here at GM in Michigan have been wearing red on Friday for a couple of months now. It is a small gesture for the great things are men and women do for us in the military. Glad to see it is making it's away around this great country!!!

 

I had to add in my $.03 (and yes, I wear red on fridays, and work "in the public interest" for our government).

My stepfather died several years ago, not unexpected, but still sad. After the memorial service and viewing, everyone was leaving the funeral home to head to the cemetary for the graveside service. All of a sudden, four older gentlemen wearing their VFW hats and assorted ribbons and medals stride up to the director and stop him in his tracks. "Where is the flag?" they asked. "Ummmm... What flag?" answers the funeral director (obviously breaking quite a sweat at this point).

The four gentlemen (rather loudly and proudly) told the story of how my step father earned his medals, including being dropped on a pacific island with rations and radios to sit on top of hills and watch for ships and planes. How he stumbled across Japanese soldiers apparently occupying this "deserted" island. How he still made it up the hills all day every day and made his reports. How he refused to be picked up and relocated because he didn't want some crew to be in danger to rescue a solitary soldier who was doing his job just fine thank you very much. How he told them that he would just forage and "procure locally" any supplies that he might need until further notice so that the resupply crew would not be in danger (and he would not be in danger if the crew or dropped supplies were sighted). From there, it was signals and codes, aboard ships that were constantly being bombed, shot, torpedoed, crashed into by burning planes, etc..

The funeral procession was delayed by about an hour while someone went out and purchased a very nice flag for over the casket. The four gentlemen then assisted by serving as pallbearers (them old farts didn't carry much of the load, but they did look damn proud), and removed, folded, and presented the flag to my (VERY proud) mother at the graveside, expressing VERY sincere thanks to her for his sacrifices for our country.

You know, I didn't cry at the viewing, even when Mom lost it. I hate funerals, and glum church ceremonies with lots of standing, kneeling and latin. When someone dies, I have no feelings at all about the empty cold body, the body is no longer the person that we loved and remember. But when that 80 yr old retired steelworker snapped off a Parris Island crisp salute at that casket, I cried like a 2 year old whose dog just stole the lollipop.

bill.

 

Gotta' get peace and order restored in Iraq, so GM can get some assembly plants up and runnin in there...

 

Thanks for that post. I am now going to wear red every Friday I can.

God Bless America!

 

[sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif][sm=usa.gif]..............Red Fridays it is!

 

Thank you very much for this post. As a Marine and veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm I know what it means to recieve support. I know that had I not had the support of friends and family there is no telling how I would have turned out. I will proudly wear a RED shirt whilst driving my Torch Red vette.
If you want to show more support please locate your local units and get on their mailing lists. They are always seeking donations for care packages. Man I lived to see mail call, my mom worked for M&M Mars and they showered us with fresh socks,shirts, powder,etc.
Well once again thanks for the heads up. SEMPER FI!!

 

I concure. I was recently released from the Army Reserve... I was in Military Intelligence and we did pre / post war satellite intelligence in Kuwait.

[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

As a lot of our member I'm sure, I've lost a lot of family members in several wars From the Revolution to Iraq, including my father in Nam, and I have several family members in Iraq and Afgahnistan right now. I pray every night for all of our service members. We wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for their sacrifices throughout history. You all have my respect.

God bless America and especialy all of it's service members [sm=usa.gif][sm=patriot.gif][sm=usa.gif]

1.)My Daughter, PVT. Catherine Barrow, 19. RA Medic in Iraq. And her basic CO my Cousin Col. Eddiy Daly, in Afgahnistan.
2.)My cousin SGT. MP. Micheal Daly, Col. Eddiy's baby brother in Iraq
Several more just don't have the pictures. I am proud of them all.
3.) Old Glory and theWings of Freedom

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