Subject: Red Friday

Subject: Fw: FWD: RED FRIDAYS

> PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL AND YOU SEE WHAT IS MEANT BY RED FRIDAY.



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 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 t heir 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.





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WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!