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Red Shirt Friday
One story of many...
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, a man noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After he boarded his flight, he turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class across from the man and inquired if the marine was heading home.
"No," the sargeant responded.
"Heading out?" the man asked.
"No. I'm escorting a soldier home," the sargeant replied.
"Going to pick him up, then?"
"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq and I'm taking him home to his family."
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit the man like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for the marine. He told the man that despite not knowing 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.
The man turned back to him, extended his 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. The man from first class watched out is his window while the sergeant saluted the casket as it was brought off the plane, and only then, seeing with his own eyes the sacrifice made, did he realize how proud he was to be an American.
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 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.
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, a man noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After he boarded his flight, he turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class across from the man and inquired if the marine was heading home.
"No," the sargeant responded.
"Heading out?" the man asked.
"No. I'm escorting a soldier home," the sargeant replied.
"Going to pick him up, then?"
"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq and I'm taking him home to his family."
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit the man like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for the marine. He told the man that despite not knowing 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.
The man turned back to him, extended his 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. The man from first class watched out is his window while the sergeant saluted the casket as it was brought off the plane, and only then, seeing with his own eyes the sacrifice made, did he realize how proud he was to be an American.
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 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.
