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
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 le ad with class and dignity, by example,
and wear something red every Friday.
IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.
IT IS YOUR CHOICE. A CHOICE AT LEAST YOU HAVE!
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!