A WORD ABOUT RED SHIRT FRIDAYS

I don't normally do this sort of thing.  But I got an email that made an impression on me.

I will paste it in below so that I can share it with all of you.

Please take note:  It does not matter if you are pro-war or anti-war.  These men deserve our respect.  It's not about the war.  Its about pride, honor and service.

So let it also be noted that while I do welcome people's opinions, today I request that no negative comments be made about our military on today's post.  If one is left anyway, it will be immediately deleted.

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 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 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 they 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  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.

 IF YOU AGREE  -- THEN SEND THIS ON.

 IF  YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE  BUTTON.