I was about to conquer the world but then I got distracted by something shiny.
Post by charliegirl on Jun 25, 2007 13:23:19 GMT -5
SEMPER FI
"Always faithful."
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read about it below the story...
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 de livered the news
of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he new 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, all our friends, and me 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 us 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 us 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 COULD NOT CARE LESS --
THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON
In the words of President Teddy Roosevelt, "We have room for but
one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language
here, and that is the English language... and we have room for
but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American
people."
"Always faithful."
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read about it below the story...
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 de livered the news
of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he new 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, all our friends, and me 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 us 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 us 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 COULD NOT CARE LESS --
THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON
In the words of President Teddy Roosevelt, "We have room for but
one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language
here, and that is the English language... and we have room for
but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American
people."
