Red Shirt

Tom Earp · #1 08-13-2008, 03:48 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 StatesMarine 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 count ry 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.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you;

Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul; the other for your freedom.

Oh, yes, this came from an email!

If you do not like, it is your bad.

KSig RC · #2 08-13-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Oh, yes, this came from an email!

If you do not like, it is your bad.

ALSO - TOM, MY MOTHER DIED DURING F-ING CHILD BIRTH, SO IT WOULD APPEAR THAT MORE THAN "TWO PEOPLE" DIED SO I COULD LIVE. YOU DO NOT SIT BY ME WHEN I TYPE AND DO NOT KNOW MY CIRCUMSTANCES SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO STOP POSTING HURTFUL AND INSIPID STUFF. YOU CONSTANTLY POST VILE DRIVEL LIKE THIS FROM YOUR POISONOUS TONGUE. YOU SHOULD THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE YOU SLANDER OR ASS-UME. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

nittanyalum · #3 08-13-2008, 04:38 PM

God, Tom, that's been around since like 2005. How out of the loop, exactly, are you?

Leslie Anne · #4 08-13-2008, 05:03 PM

Moronic propaganda.

socialite · #5 08-13-2008, 05:04 PM

cue broken record;
"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free..."

Tom Earp · #6 08-14-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Moronic propaganda.

Really?

So showing respect is not the norm of today?

So, KSig RC, what does this rant have to do with what I posted?

So, even though it may have been around a while, it is still a good reminder for what our troops have done and the final recignition that they desearve for the final payment for our freedom.

If you are offended by this I am sorry.

Tinia2 · #7 08-14-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

God, Tom, that's been around since like 2005. How out of the loop, exactly, are you?

has been around from about 2005. however this is an odd one as the following links show. all in all, in truth has nothing of value in terms of showing or offering repect for those in service. much more one can do for that.
however tom, for i hope the very last time, i am also including some sites that you (and everyone else)should keep real close by when reading your e-mails.
in re.: red friday:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/redfriday.asp
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/r/redfridays.htm

and now this is a list, part of which i found here in greek chat and just added onto:
About com/Urban Legends, Folklore & Myths:
http://www.snopes.com
http://urbanlegends.about.com
http://kumite.com/myths/
http://truthorfiction.com/
http://www.nonprofit.net/hoax/default.htm
http://www.sophos.com/security/hoaxes/
http://purportal.com/
http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/hoax.html
http://www.factcheck.org/ political fact checking organization.

ree-Xi · #8 08-14-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Really?

So showing respect is not the norm of today?

So, KSig RC, what does this rant have to do with what I posted?

So, even though it may have been around a while, it is still a good reminder for what our troops have done and the final recignition that they desearve for the final payment for our freedom.

If you are offended by this I am sorry.

It's emails like this one that irk me.

Wearing a red shirt on a particular day (aside from the fact that the chances of anyone wearing red - a common color - on any given day is pretty high) does not a patriot make.

I'm sorry, but it's a passive attempt at presumed solidarity. There are plenty of active ways to show your appreciation to a service person.

- thank one in person - at the airport, the local reserve office, etc.
- write letters or cards, send them via the USO
- send a care package to a service person you know personally
- collect phone cards and personal hygiene items to send to soldiers
- volunteer with programs local families of service people stationed overseas
- get to know your local government, find out what their platforms are, how they vote, support candidates who are in favor of decreasing the length or recall frequency for military tours

Kevin · #9 08-14-2008, 02:57 PM

I thought if I wore red, then I'd be a communist.

Tinia2 · #10 08-14-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

It's emails like this one that irk me.

Wearing a red shirt on a particular day (aside from the fact that the chances of anyone wearing red - a common color - on any given day is pretty high) does not a patriot make.

I'm sorry, but it's a passive attempt at presumed solidarity. There are plenty of active ways to show your appreciation to a service person.

- thank one in person - at the airport, the local reserve office, etc.
- write letters or cards, send them via the USO
- send a care package to a service person you know personally
- collect phone cards and personal hygiene items to send to soldiers
- volunteer with programs local families of service people stationed overseas
- get to know your local government, find out what their platforms are, how they vote, support candidates who are in favor of decreasing the length or recall frequency for military tours

and if one wishes to truely be pro-active tom, do some of the following. i have.
Sites which help Support our Troops:
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6568316/
http://anysoldier.com/index.cfm
http://www.oidelivers.org/http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/
http://www.gi-bracelet.org/GIBracelet/index.html
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html
AFES Gift Certificates
www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm

KSig RC · #11 08-14-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

So, KSig RC, what does this rant have to do with what I posted?

Well, I mean, your post overtly mentions that "only two people" will ever die for you - one of whom (Jesus Christ) is considered a minor prophet (at best) by well over half the people on the Earth. So . . . other people have accomplished the same at similar expense. Additionally, some who "sacrifice" their lives for others are not actually doing this for just cause.

In short, the email is pretty grossly simplistic and a pretty bad examination of patriotism, even if viewed as pure jingoism (which I basically refuse to do either way). Sure, I responded in the fashion of parody, but this should clear it up - this is really the main reason why it's not the best idea to post email forwards without any additional discussion, as well, Tom. The email forward has a very specific audience, and without any further discussion, it's hard to take it seriously or know where to take it.

ThetaPrincess24 · #12 08-14-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

It's emails like this one that irk me.

Wearing a red shirt on a particular day (aside from the fact that the chances of anyone wearing red - a common color - on any given day is pretty high) does not a patriot make.

I'm sorry, but it's a passive attempt at presumed solidarity. There are plenty of active ways to show your appreciation to a service person.

- thank one in person - at the airport, the local reserve office, etc.
- write letters or cards, send them via the USO
- send a care package to a service person you know personally
- collect phone cards and personal hygiene items to send to soldiers
- volunteer with programs local families of service people stationed overseas
- get to know your local government, find out what their platforms are, how they vote, support candidates who are in favor of decreasing the length or recall frequency for military tours

i like these ideas of support better in addition to flying an American Flag.

ThetaPrincess24 · #13 08-14-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

I thought if I wore red, then I'd be a communist.

LOL!!

Tom Earp · #14 08-14-2008, 05:23 PM

So, if it is so old and so tiresome then why do so many want to make fun of this original post?

I take it you do not care?

So, read in the news daily about the men and women who die for what they are given to do!

If they mean nothing to you, that is fine and you are a sorry person!

I do not want or like them to be in harms way, but, it is a trueism and they still die.

Give respect where respect is due instead of being a bunch of sh*ts and make snide remarks!

You all do yourself well!

S & G
TPU

Kevin · #15 08-14-2008, 05:35 PM

I think paying your respects to the men and women in uniform is just fine. Wearing a red shirt is a tad absurd.

Occasionally, these sorts of symbols catch on, while I'm sure most of the time, they fail. Here in OKC, following the OKC bombing, we all drove around with our lights on for months as if to say "I remember" or to show solidarity or something like that. As with all fads, that died. I guess that means we forgot about the bombing??

Didn't the bloody shirts help put Ulysses S. Grant in office?

That worked out well