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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 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 a far, 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 a red shirt every Friday
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 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 a far, 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 a red shirt every Friday
