Red Fridays

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Subject: Sea of Red
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 t o
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 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.

[Larry D. Kage]

Roger Wilco.

[Mike R. Byrd]

thank you so much for sharing. I copied the content about Red Fridays to share with family & friends.

[Peter C. Russell]

Linas;
Thank you, my nephew is just outside Baghdad.
It means so much that people at home care..... and show it

[Justo Mickey Rivera]

Damn straight.........

The words out........

RED FRIDAYS


Thanks

Mic

[Gary Oleski]

Thanks Linas

[Bruce M. Graham, III]

Semper Fi

[wforsyth]

Amen.

[Gary L. Porter]

Amen

[Brian R. Sumpter]

Semper Fi.

I am touched by this story.

[lcapaul]

Linas, are you a member of the American Legion? Your "Letter" made the rounds there several months ago, I don't want to put our troops down, but patriotism and support of our troops should not need to be pushed by False Patriotic B.S. NCO's don't notify Family Members of troops who have been killed< Officers do, the bodies of American Troops are shipped by Freight, both Air and Ground, this has been one of the big complaints against Rumsfeld and the Pentagon. If you received this "letter" by email, then you also probably received this one, or one very similiar, this is a portion of one of the many verisions I have recieved:

This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)


Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.


(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!


Here is what the Quaran erse 9:11 really says:


[9.11] But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for a people who know.

Quite a differnce, no where in the Quaran will you find "For it ahs been Fortold" or othe Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Babba language, that came from British Writers and Hollywood.


Our Troops sacrifice their lives for this country, whether or not you support the War, their sacrifices and our support of them doesn't need Lies and falsehoods to demonstrate out support, such lies demean and belittle the sacrifices that our troops and their families make every day.

3025 in Iraq and 357 in Afghanistan have died so far, they don't need lies to make them hero's

I'm not blaming you Linas, these "Letters" just keep making the rounds thoughm ciming from American Legion Members you'd think you could trust them, but too many pople on the Internet tned to beilieve things they see that they want to agree with, without first checking them out, I know you heart and thought s are in the right place.

[Steven C. Waskewicz]

I believe theres some truth to the movement, and its much appreciated by those of us who have loved ones in the Middle East.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/redfriday.asp

My nephew is also somewhere outside Bagdhad, and on his second tour of duty in IRAQ, and we try to support them in any of the myriad ways we can. Writing to them, sending them packages, newspaper articles, etc.

[cvowell]

My son is active duty and was recently deployed. I support him and his unit by sending weekly care packages and emailing my local politicians regarding any problems my son or his unit have. There are a lot of ways to support the men and women that are serving overseas (not all deployments are to Iraq) You can visit http://anyairman.com/ and 'adopt' a unit. This page is for Air Force members, there are also links for the Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard members. This may be a little more 'proactive' than wearing red.

[rdiaz]

Mr. Capaul, as you were Sir, NCOs and Staff NCOs do inform Families of the death of troops, there arent always enough Officers to go around ,and yes there are Marines assigned specifically to escort our fallen brothers in arms (and probably in the other services to) and in fact there are Platoons specifcally for funeral and burial detail, how would I know? Well I know because I particpated in at least 3 burials of fellow fallen Marines in the Chicago Area and had to pull duty as a Casualty Assistance Officer, so unless My entire 8 plus years in the Marine Corps was a dream I don't think its "patriotic B S"

Respectfully

Rodrigo E. Diaz
Ssgt USMC

"You don't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em."
- Lieutenant-General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller

[Justo Mickey Rivera]

Well, I guess that settles that one, eh Lewis.

Mic