Red Friday

Red Shirt
> 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 a far, 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.
>
>