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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 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 home 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.
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.
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