Red Fridays

[Bumper]

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

Last week, while traveling to Toronto on business, I noticed an army 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 Afghanistan, 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 Toronto , 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 Canadian Armed Forces 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 a Canadian.

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? Canadians 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 Canadians, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Canadians 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 Canadian who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Canada on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming Hockey game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the Canada 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.

(Note from Bumper: I dug out a red shirt I haven't worn in a very long time. It will see a lot of use from now on. One day a week.)

[Eileencc]

That's pretty neat Bumper...I hadn't heard anything about this. I hope it does become a national movement. I'd like to see something similar here in the US.

[Just Lucky]

Originally Posted by Eileencc

That's pretty neat Bumper...I hadn't heard anything about this. I hope it does become a national movement. I'd like to see something similar here in the US.

Actually this movement seems to have been around since about 2005 in the US. Coincidentally, I read almost exactly that same Email some time ago referring to a US soldier's return home.


These links may help explain the phenomenon:Wear Red on Fridays to Support the Troops? - BreakTheChain.org and snopes.com: Wear Red on Friday

I think it's great folks want to support those who put their lives on the line for our nations. I do wonder whether sending letters of appreciation and care packages might mean more than a symbolic show of support.

Supporting greater veterans benefits also seems something more than symbolic. The high incidence of PTSD and TBI in US soldiers suggest the great need now and in the future for funding treatment for these and other wounds.

I also wonder how many folks in the US will drive by a person holding a sign that says "Homeless Vet, Please Help!", or something similar, and barely notice the veteran. Or, folks who will not support mental health outreach and homeless shelters in their communities which might assist these vets.

My favourite charity is this:Fisher House -- Helping Military Families
They have helped a friend of mine and a growing number of others.

Why the funding for the Fisher Houses has to rely largely on donations is a question I think every citizen should ask our elected leaders.



I'm sorry if I've burst anyone's bubble, I am very passionate about this.

[Lil G]

Oh, Bump, what a read. Makes me a little teary eyed in my coffee. We should all be proud of the men and women that keep us safe where we can go about our daily business. God bless them all!

[Rissask]

I have never heard of this as a 'movement', this is the first I have heard of it- and unfortunately, I think it's destined to just be another e-mail forward, and not much will come of it....sort of like those e-mails that tell people to all not buy gas on a certain from certain stations, it's doomed to failure, too large a number of people to try to reach. It does seem somewhat reminscent of American e-mails I have seen about Iraq in tone, too- not saying that as a bad thing, just that it has a subtle undertone of right wing, 'if you don't wear red you are a anti American commie' sort of e-mail I have seen a million times.


But I wholeheartedly support, and am very thankful to our troops in Afghanistan and hope we reach some sort of agreement there soon, and kick the Talibans' collective ass but good - and bring our soldiers home from there for good.

[Dan-0]

Bumper, what a great idea, thanks for sharing. You should be proud to be Canadian, I would be. Nobody likes war, but most Americans are very grateful that after 9/11 Canada stepped up and took its rightful place as a world leader in the war against terrorism. ¡Viva Canada!

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I have never heard of this as a 'movement', this is the first I have heard of it- and unfortunately, I think it's destined to just be another e-mail forward, and not much will come of it....sort of like those e-mails that tell people to all not buy gas on a certain from certain stations, it's doomed to failure, too large a number of people to try to reach. It does seem somewhat reminscent of American e-mails I have seen about Iraq in tone, too- not saying that as a bad thing, just that it has a subtle undertone of right wing, 'if you don't wear red you are a anti American commie' sort of e-mail I have seen a million times.


But I wholeheartedly support, and am very thankful to our troops in Afghanistan and hope we reach some sort of agreement there soon, and kick the Talibans' collective ass but good - and bring our soldiers home from there for good.

I agree with you, Maggie, in a way. Is it going to accomplish anything tangible? I'm not naive enough to think it will. And I admit it's a selfish thing. All it will do is make me feel a bit better. If I've got it right, there have been 88 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. A trifle when compared to almost 600 Americans Afghani casualties, and the thousands killed in Iraq. 88 is not a huge number, but one is too many, especially from a nation that has a very limited history of military involvement since WW II, and the Korean War.

[Just Lucky]

I found the Email I had read. It incenses me that per the implication one of earlier my links a company may have spread these Emails in an effort may have sent these fake Emails in order to sell their red Friday support the troops shirts. If so, I consider the behaviour despicable.

WEAR RED FRIDAYS
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.

The source I pulled this from although there are many others:Red Blog Fridays - Lifestyle Blog Prompts - FetLife
See what I mean by coincidence.