mandingo
03-30-2007, 09:10 AM
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.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.
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 DON'T AGREE -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.
IT IS YOUR CHOICE.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
The wearing of Red may not catch on, you never know, but the rest above that, you can't tell me that it doesn't bother you about what's going on over there. I had to repost this, every now and then you need a "REAL" taste of reality. So while your out getting drunk, tearing it up on the weekends, OR even racing on your motorcycle, remember why you are able to do it. Wether you like it or not, RESPECT IT. :club:
Kenny
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.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.
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 DON'T AGREE -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.
IT IS YOUR CHOICE.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
The wearing of Red may not catch on, you never know, but the rest above that, you can't tell me that it doesn't bother you about what's going on over there. I had to repost this, every now and then you need a "REAL" taste of reality. So while your out getting drunk, tearing it up on the weekends, OR even racing on your motorcycle, remember why you are able to do it. Wether you like it or not, RESPECT IT. :club:
Kenny