Red Fridays

[Yoda]

I can not vouch for the authenticity of the following. I received it as an email from a friend that does not forward or sends very many messages.

I ran it through Snopes:
Status: Undetermined.

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 act's of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, 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 everyday 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 she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he 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 daughters 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 unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, their 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.
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The Email urges everyone to wear RED on Fridays to support our troops.

I don't feel this is asking anyone to make a Polictical Statement I believe it is to support our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters serving in the Armed Forces.


Beginning this Friday, it will be RED FRIDAY for Nanc and will continue until....... as does our FLAG fly EVERY DAY since 9/11/01

Bud & Nanc Dougherty
Amarillo, Texas

[Bioscache2]

Thats great story and even though I've been down here in GA for over two months now, this is the first I've heard of it. I have no idea whether its true or not but I will say, due to the proximity of Ft. Benning, the Atlanta Airport always has soldiers in uniform walking through it. I've seen them everytime I've been through it.

[THORIN]

Got to give them credit for quick thinking under fire.

[cscarlson]

Just wanted to say "Hello" to my friend Rare81. it's been awhile.

Carl

[Yoda]

Carl

Good seeing you hanging out again

Bud

[bossvette]

I've got a red flannel shirt I'll wear until I can buy a red "T" most of my shirts are black to hide the dirt.

[SPANISHVETTS]

Ryan,
How is Fort Benning? Does that mean Infantry?

It is Friday and I am in Red.

[Bioscache2]

Ryan,
How is Fort Benning? Does that mean Infantry?

It is Friday and I am in Red.

Fort Benning is interesting, and it does indeed mean Infantry. I'm in IOBC (Infantry Officer Basic Course) right now and that goes through the beginning of January. After that is Ranger School and Airborne school and maybe another if I have time before I get to my first unit which is still to be determined. All said and done I should be here until May or June.
The training is good but I'd be lying if I didn't say it was kicking my @$$. Out of the 13 weeks in this school over half are spent in the field (and by that I mean leave monday morning with a ruck, come back Friday, their are other day trips to the field and range I'm not counting)and my platoon's teacher is great but he pushes us very hard (which is one of the reasons why he's great). When other platoons are dumping their rucks in one place for the day we carry them everywhere to build endurance, when others sleep we train (lasts night mission went from 1900-0500, and with zero illum even night vision goggles were little help, I'm covered in black and blues from moving through the forests here.) and he likes to pt hard, we routinely run sub 730miles on our 4-6 mile runs and even in the field we'll knock out 500 pushups and situps throughout the dayto stay on top. I'm happy but sore but most importantly learning alot and can't wait for the Thanksigiving break.

PS, I attended a very special military event last Saturday night as a guest even though it was officially on the friday before, one that I'm sure is near and dear to your heart. Any guesses?

[SPANISHVETTS]

PS, I attended a very special military event last Saturday night as a guest even though it was officially on the friday before, one that I'm sure is near and dear to your heart. Any guesses?

Thank you for the Birthday wishes kind Sir. You must admit for a bunch of gung-ho $@bs we Marines know how to throw a Birthday Party and a few of us can dance without tripping over our Sabers.


I am getting close to getting the first piece of cake. This year I was only one away – beat out by a Korean Vet who has retired here. He is 80 ish and looks like he will be around a lot longer than me. He danced with the CO’s wife as well as most of the Wives of the NCOs from the Security Detachment until well after midnight.

[Bioscache2]

It indeed was a great celebration and again, Happy Birthday Marine. One of my friends is a Marine officer graduate of Annapolis. She is in TBS (the Basic school) and almost done. She just recently got branched air intel and is very excited. We had an excellent weekend together.

[Bioscache2]

So I heard a different story that ended with the Red Friday idea, but just as moving and the online movement is gaining strength. For those of you who know what it is they made a facebook group about it and it already has 16,000+ members.