Saturday, January 23, 2010

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.

21 comments:

  1. I'm wearing red right now. I plan to wear it every Friday.
    Thank you, Ananda.
    The movie, The Messenger. A movie that speaks volumes.

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  2. Don't ask me to respect men of any country that fight others and keep all these stupid wars going. You have a lot to learn about such things and should let others brainwash you about such things.

    It was a nice spring like day here today.

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  3. Correction: You have a lot to learn about such things and should let others brainwash you about such things.

    You have a lot to learn about such things and SHOULDN'T let others brainwash you about such things.

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  4. Billy B.-- No one has brainwashed me. I think for myself. I know you've noticed because we do not always agree. Nor do I always follow your advice.

    I did not ask you to respect them. You may do as you like.

    But I know of no country that has not been troubled by wars.

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  5. But I know of no country that has not been troubled by wars.

    That's because idiots fight them. But no worries, women are going to stop all the wars on this planet once they gain the right to vote, ha ha ha ha

    I know you don't often follow my advice, that's why you live a flintstone life. :-)

    Oh, and I didn't read much of that too long of a post. :-)

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  6. I'm thinking that if Bear gave you good advice that you wouldn't follow it either. :-)

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  7. You're a sweet lady, but you don't recognize good advice when it is kicking you in the ass. :-)

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  8. I'm turning in early, you'll have to play and argue with others for the rest of the evening.

    Sweet dreams....

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  9. Trekkies don't wear red shirts, it's dangerous.

    Also, be careful when you are wearing your red shirt while shopping at Target. They don't have a uniform anymore, they just wear any old red shirt and a name tag. So the customers will see you in your red shirt and not notice that you don't have a name tag and just assume that you work there and ask you all sorts of stupid questions.

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  10. I don't think the choices are between agreeing and not caring. I care, but as a Quaker, wearing red on Fridays to support the military would not be in keeping with my spiritual convictions. I grieve for the soldiers and I certainly do not revile them (and in fact, recently dated and cared deeply about someone in the military), but I'd like to see us committed to more peaceful means of resolving conflicts.

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  11. Peggy-- Thanks!

    secret agent woman-- Well I can certainly respect your belief as well.

    I'm just on my way out the door for date number 2 this weekend. He showed up an hour and a half early. I guess I should be flattered, but I am more bothered. Yesterday's date showed up half an hour early. I am an exactly on time sort of person. But I guess its nice that they are eager to meet with me. So I'll throw myself together and go now.

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  12. I should say that I had planned to run to the Goodwill until the early arrival. I do have a life beyond frogs. Sheesh!

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  13. I am wearing red, it is sunday though. If I had known I would have worn this shirt on friday instead. I WILL SUPPORT THE TROOPS, my childhood friends- those twin brothers who have been in the war zone numerous times. While I do not agree with the war, I do know that soldiers are not idiots- its their job. I think more people need to realize that it is an occupation that provides money and education towards their own future which for some is not otherwise possible and that they only do what their bosses tell them to do. Respect what they do and keep your mouths shut if you don't agree with their cause.Who cares? Do not disrespect these men and women for if it were not for people like them our country would not be the same as it is today. I support the troops 100% and will until they are all back hime again! And I don't support the war.

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  14. Well said.
    I think it's safe to say that no one here supports war and wishes the world could live peacefully.
    I lived through the Vietnam era and remember how very disheartened the soldiers were when they returned home. Home to a place that they didn't recognize. I was very immature at the time. I didn't make their lives easier. For that, I am ashamed. It was only after having talked to endless Vets that I learned what their personal stories were. Some who "survived" will never be the same.
    I'm not going to make the mistake again. Their job is worse than others. But their job puts them in the line of real fire.
    Please. This Dove asks others to for once, reel it in and respect what Ananda has asked us to do. If you don't agree, just delete.

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  16. (Had to delete for a typo that altered the meaning.)

    For the record, I come from a long line of military people and have loved men in the military. I do not believe that speaking up for my beliefs is a sign of disrespect, and neither did the man I dated. He spent a year in Afghanistan and will be deployed again, and yet fully supported my distress about the decision to continue sending troops to war. In fact, he himself feels it is a war we should not be part of, although he is committed to his job. While I have no patience for people making ugly comments about those who are in the military who are doing what they believe to be right, I have equally little patience for the "agree or shut up" approach. (Ananda, I am not directing this to you - I get the impression that you respect my beliefs as I do yours.)

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  17. secret agent woman-- Thank you. I do indeed respect yours. I was, as I know you understand... merely making a suggestion for those who wish to follow that plan. :-)

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  18. theangrybear-- Well said, beautiful and angry bear. There is not a day that I do not think of our twins and the sacrifices they have made, not only to serve the country but to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Max tells me that J is stateside and safe now. Is this true? I hear both are in the country now...in Texas he thinks. I love you to the moon and beyond.

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  19. A wonderful idea and one I will try to implement. I'm also curious to see if this takes hold. I'll be on the lookout on Fridays.

    I think that, in the main, our military acts with honor. It is not their job to choose the mission, but to execute the orders they have sworn to obey. No military can function otherwise. In choosing their sworn duty over personal feelings, they serve with honor and dignity.

    As for those who chose the mission, especially those who may have profited by it, I think Chesterton said it best:

    It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged.

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  20. Cricket-- I like the way you think.
    And the quote...perfect...I could not agree more! Thank you.

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