[GeoStL] Red Shirt Friday
- From: Jack Anderson <pandyandy3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:04:01 -0700 (PDT)
To all,
I normally don't send out chain mail letters but this one just stood out for
me and I was touched by the cause and effort that it was asking so I thought
that I would send it along. I don't know who started it but I intend to do it.
I need to go out and buy a red shirt now.
Jack
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 th e 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,
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.
IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.
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