wearing red on fridays
 

mods please do not move this thread, as i feel very strongly that every american should should have the oportunity to read it. thx


Subject: Wearing Red on Fridays




Gary A. Noble, Lt Col, USAFR, MSC
Administrator, 512 AMDS
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware 19902-5202
DSN 445-4658, Comm: (302) 677-4658

A Simple Thank You

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.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington , D.C.




Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years International Picture of the Year.

First Place



First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: "See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."
Second Place






Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."




PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING!




"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."
-- Ronald Reagan

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

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

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Been wearing red on Fridays for months. Great post, great story. Proud to be American! Scott

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Great post, Rat!

We are honored to be protected by the men and women who serve in our military. Thank you!

:cool:

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Great post

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

We can simply not do enough to supoort the armed forces.

Great post.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Thankx Rat! I did not know anything about wearing red on Friday's. I now have a new dress code! Thanks.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

thanks for posting this, I never heard about red on Friday's. But I think from now on it will be my color of choice on Friday

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Awesome post Rat Dude. A salute to our Ladies and Men fighting 4 us!!

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

You know i'll do my part.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

WOW!!! Very moving story. got all funny feeling inside. red on fridays from now on!!!!

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

As I wipe the tears from my eyes from reading that and seeing the pictures.....I'll be wearing red on Friday's ..... THANKS to everyone who keeps our flag flying and protecting our FREEDOM.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Here is a similar story I received. Red on Fridays it is :cool:




GIVE THIS TO MY DADDY?


*Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed
one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as
they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was
abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw
the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it
hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still
loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I
thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men
a women and a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of
male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then
asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young
soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22, said he would try and
what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl
grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could
muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney,
told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in
Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter,
Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all
of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the
other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They
started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to
Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he
told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he
had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying
"your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and
he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was
standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As
the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed
their applause.

As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry
eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of
selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear
rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and then thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's
good to be an American.

Red Friday

Just keeping you "in the loop" so you'll know what's going on in case
this takes off.

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 over-bearing. We get no liberal
media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

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, co-workers, 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.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

Awesome post fellas, red Fridays it is!

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

thanks for the post, and Red on Fridays for me.

Re: wearing red on fridays
 

God Bless America, and the men and women who stand up for it!