bahmer Loc: Northern Illinois Rockford

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support 'Red Fridays'.

Anonymous.

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.


Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.


When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.Of course, I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line every day for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her Daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it..

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you...' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

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 over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many American, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Americans 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, co-workers, 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.


WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! -

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Wowwy Walter - tears are flowing.

God bless all the people that are Defending and have Defended our great country. God bless all those who are currently making our country a great place to live. Very great of those guys to make the little girl and her mom so happy!!
Those that cannot help with that can leave this great country and not return.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Good story Bahmer. I got my red ready for tomorrow.

bahmer Loc: Northern Illinois Rockford

Good for you and so do I.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Think I’ll wear mine to bed


so I’m not late for the party of RED.

Big TC Loc: Raytown, MO.

The KC CHIEFS have been doing red Fridays for a long time. Since the 60's. Please wear red on fridays.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I'll wear red!
While I was still working, I was a (very) frequent flier. Now and again, I'd get a complementary upgrade to first class. If there was anyone in uniform in line, I used to go and swap boarding passes with him.

If you want to know, it felt better than sitting up front!

bahmer Loc: Northern Illinois Rockford

Amen and Amen

Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

Amen, I have the back the blue stickers on my vehicles and always let any service member know how much I appreciate them and remember my days in the service. I sure wish they would teach the school children why we are free and not all of the liberal crap they are pushing!!!

bahmer Loc: Northern Illinois Rockford

Amen and Amen

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

That is very good of you.

JimCT Loc: Connecticut

That was really cool. Even as someone left of center let’s say around 10:30 10;45 on the clock face I have always supported our military men and women . They make huge sacrifices for us wether it is the normal disruption in family life or the ultimate sacrifice and everything in between. What I occasionally disagree with is the action of the pentagon. I was against the Vietnam war but not against the men and women who answered the call of duty whether by choice or not. I was a green card immigrant from Canada at the time an I was Was 1A by then end of the draft. Interesting we could draft non citizens. What I have no use for is current of agents if the federal government who are not members of the military carrying our police actions. Let’s hope red Friday thanks the our true Military and their families and all veterans no matter what their current status is. They deserve our support Today and everyday.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Great story, thanks for sharing.
Not that I needed another reason to wear my WI Badger red, but I will break it out before football season this year.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I have to wonder....
If whoever is president is automatically commander-in-chief of the armed forces.....
Maybe it might be appropriate to make it a requirement to have served in the military before you can run for that office?
Don't assume that I'm taking a political party position here, both parties have had presidents who never served. Some of them dodged the draft.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Yes whoever is president is automatically commander-in-chief. Part of the job description!!