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Wear something red
Posted : 27 Jun, 2008 08:11 PM
> 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 was delivering 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 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 we 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 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 some thing 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.
T:goofball:mie
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