I received this from a friend and thought I would pass it on.  My
personal opinion is that I support our troops even though I do not
support the reason why they are there.
Nancy 

-----Original Message-----

>>
>>
>>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 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.
>>IF YOU AGREE, THEN SEND THIS ON. IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS, THEN HIT
THE
>>DELETE BUTTON.
>>
>>(Support for the troops, not necessarily the reason for them being
>>there.)
>>
>>
>>
>>E-mail correspondence to and from this sender may be subject to the 
>>North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties.
>>
>>
>
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