Red Shirt.

gmctrucks · 11-03-2009, 04:39 PM

Red Shirt

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

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 a far, 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.
GMC

gmctrucks · 11-04-2009, 08:50 PM

Anybody going to wear a red shirt on Fridays I am? No comments im sad.........I don't feel the love.

BernieB · 11-04-2009, 08:52 PM

I already do.

gmctrucks · 11-04-2009, 09:14 PM

Bernie I feel better already it must be old news that I just heard about. I feel the love.
YouTube - I'm Proud to be an American Soldier Tribute(w/ lyrics) Good song.

BernieB · 11-04-2009, 09:33 PM

I just wish they'd picked a different color though. It sounds disrespectful, and it's not meant to be, but Star Trek fans know what happens to the guys in the red shirts, and that's not what should be in your mind with something like this. But Star Trek "red shirts" have become a pop culture cliche', so I think a different color might have been chosen. Like blue maybe.

eponator · 11-05-2009, 12:05 PM

Sadly, in some parts around here, wearing a red shirt is likely to get you in trouble with the locals... I think I'll just set up a huge flag in the bed of the truck

Lonesome7.3 · 11-05-2009, 06:16 PM

That story is nice but far from true. I doubt a Marine would be escorting a Soldier. Marines bring thier own home just like the Army does. Not every one is the military is a Soldier. Call a Marine a Soldier and see what happens to you.

bradrhale · 11-05-2009, 07:49 PM

i dont wear red shirts. white tee shirt mafia baby.

11-03-2009, 04:39 PM	#1
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Red Shirt. Red Shirt If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man... 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 a far, 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. GMC

11-04-2009, 08:52 PM	#3
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	I already do. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-04-2009, 09:33 PM	#5
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	I just wish they'd picked a different color though. It sounds disrespectful, and it's not meant to be, but Star Trek fans know what happens to the guys in the red shirts, and that's not what should be in your mind with something like this. But Star Trek "red shirts" have become a pop culture cliche', so I think a different color might have been chosen. Like blue maybe. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-05-2009, 12:05 PM	#6
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Covina, Ca Posts: 363	Sadly, in some parts around here, wearing a red shirt is likely to get you in trouble with the locals... I think I'll just set up a huge flag in the bed of the truck __________________ '99 F350 5.4L crewcab Longbed

11-05-2009, 06:16 PM	#7
Lonesome7.3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Columbus GA Posts: 1,889	That story is nice but far from true. I doubt a Marine would be escorting a Soldier. Marines bring thier own home just like the Army does. Not every one is the military is a Soldier. Call a Marine a Soldier and see what happens to you. __________________ I got the **** lights off of an abandoned truck in Iraq.

11-04-2009, 08:50 PM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Anybody going to wear a red shirt on Fridays I am? No comments im sad.........I don't feel the love.

11-04-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Bernie I feel better already it must be old news that I just heard about. I feel the love. YouTube - I'm Proud to be an American Soldier Tribute(w/ lyrics) Good song.

11-05-2009, 07:49 PM	#8
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,021	i dont wear red shirts. white tee shirt mafia baby.

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