If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...
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 home coming 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.
Tears did come to my eyes as I read this . . . my Dad was in Vietnam and I've always been very proud of that! I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud of our soldiers who are fighting for our Freedom today! I have a hard time holding back the tears when I hear our National Anthem (even at the beginning of a Nascar race), or at 4th of July parades when Veteran's of past wars march past me, Veteran's Day parades and assemblies at my kiddos school honoring our local Veteran's. I know that this coming Veteran's Day will even be harder to deal with since it will be the one-year anniversary of my FIL's passing, he too was a Veteran. This photo was taken at Jakob's school Veteran's Day assembly this year, the same day we got the phone call about Joe's Dad . . . it was a very emotional day and this is such a touching photo!
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 home coming 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.
Tears did come to my eyes as I read this . . . my Dad was in Vietnam and I've always been very proud of that! I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud of our soldiers who are fighting for our Freedom today! I have a hard time holding back the tears when I hear our National Anthem (even at the beginning of a Nascar race), or at 4th of July parades when Veteran's of past wars march past me, Veteran's Day parades and assemblies at my kiddos school honoring our local Veteran's. I know that this coming Veteran's Day will even be harder to deal with since it will be the one-year anniversary of my FIL's passing, he too was a Veteran. This photo was taken at Jakob's school Veteran's Day assembly this year, the same day we got the phone call about Joe's Dad . . . it was a very emotional day and this is such a touching photo!
8 comments:
That's so beautiful Gina!
Let's all wear red on Fridays!
What a great idea Gina. I have a brother in the Marines, and he is getting ready for his 2nd tour in Iraq. God bless our troops!
This is just beautiful Gina.
We've just celebrated ANZAC day over here in Aus (a bit like Veteran's Day I think) and it has been a timely reminder to us all that there are still men and women fighting for us today. God bless all those people who so willingly stand up to fight for safety and peace for their countries.
Beautful post Gina, it's very touching. I will be wearing red on fridays, thank you for sharing this.
Very powerful post Gina - I too am honored to be an American - and yes, I also cry with the National Anthem is sung. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Gina, this is so very touching. Thanks so much for sharing. It will be red Friday here from now on. Take care!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us Gina. Our son spent over a year in Iraq and we are always so thankful for his safe return and also for those still over there. Defiantely red on Fridays!
What a beautiful post, Gina. Thank you, so much.
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