Red Fridays

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SAS_Random
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Red Fridays

I received this in the mail from a friend. I felt it appropriate to post here regardless of your opinions about the current war on terrorism.
Below is the message I received:

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

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 homecoming f ootball 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.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.
IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON

SAS_Vet_Random

Lt. Col (Retired)

22nd [SAS] Elite Virtual Regiment

 

 

Spidey01
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(y) // thumbs up emote

SAS_DUKE
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Sad and proud at the same time, but especially very impressive!

Although this is off-topic now, these lines were so impressive and the same goose-flesh-feeling came up as I heard the monologue of the President in the movie Independence Day:

"Good mornings, in less than one hour our airplanes will join with others from the whole world. And they prepare to fight the biggest air battle in the history of humanity. Humanity - this word should have from today for us all one new meaning. We cannot allow any more that our petty conflicts consume us. Our common interest connects us. Maybe it is destiny that today is the 4th July, and that you will fight once more for our freedom - not against tyranny, pursuit or suppression, but against our destruction. We fight in living for our right in existing. And should we survive this day, the 4th July will not be longer any more only an American holiday, but the day in which the world explains with one voice: We will not set in silence at night. We will not pass without fighting. We will survive. We will live on. Today we celebrate together our Independence Day."

(translated by http://www.abacho.de)

I believe the Red Fridays are a good action to demonstrate the support of the troops and show the soldiers behind enemy lines: Hey - we can't do really much, but keep in mind that we think of you!

DUKE, Germany

"What's the plan?
Track'em, find'em, kill'em!"

VesperHondo
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Right on guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree we all share earth and we share the same goal SURVIVAL, but yet we still fight over land,money,oil ect. even if we dont support the wars we still support the troops out there, so i salute all the troops in every country in the world and i think we all hope the leaders of the countrys soon notice the loose of life of the men and women that risk their lives every day for the sense that we are secure in our homes. THANKS to all the men and women that risk their lives every day for us.

BOC_FM_Vesper

YOU SEE ME NOW YOUR DEAD