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Support our Troops
As some of you know...I am on a mission usually. Gotta have a cause or I just ain't right in the head! LOL.
Remember the red shirt Friday thread/discussion I posted not long ago. (If not I will attach the letter at the end.) I think it would be great if the men and woman oversea and at home would "see" our support. If America wears red they will know quietly we support them. Just like the pink and yellow ribbons.
I want to do my part, so here is what I am doing. My sister and I are designing red shirts for those who would like to support our troops. I wish we could make a million and hand them out but I have not made my fortunes yet...working on it, right now I just do my job and be blessed I can.
A little history about my family. My mom, dad, grandpa, cousins, brother-in-law..etc are military. Plus I live near the Norfolk Naval Base, Langley AFB, Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis. When I saw the red shirt Friday letter it motivated me to start making shirts. I thought it would be great to have a website dedicated to this cause to get the word out. Wouldn't it be awesome for the men and woman who are serving us every minute of their lives to see that kind of support?! If you have not seen the letter, here ya go...
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...
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 n ews 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, all our friends, and me 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.
Remember the red shirt Friday thread/discussion I posted not long ago. (If not I will attach the letter at the end.) I think it would be great if the men and woman oversea and at home would "see" our support. If America wears red they will know quietly we support them. Just like the pink and yellow ribbons.
I want to do my part, so here is what I am doing. My sister and I are designing red shirts for those who would like to support our troops. I wish we could make a million and hand them out but I have not made my fortunes yet...working on it, right now I just do my job and be blessed I can.
A little history about my family. My mom, dad, grandpa, cousins, brother-in-law..etc are military. Plus I live near the Norfolk Naval Base, Langley AFB, Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis. When I saw the red shirt Friday letter it motivated me to start making shirts. I thought it would be great to have a website dedicated to this cause to get the word out. Wouldn't it be awesome for the men and woman who are serving us every minute of their lives to see that kind of support?! If you have not seen the letter, here ya go...
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...
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 n ews 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, all our friends, and me 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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa L. on
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William. A simple thank you to you does seem to be enough to show how much we appreciate what you do every minute, everyday. We want to give back, we believe this is one way to do it. I hope our efforts motivate America to show their support for troops such as you.
In the coming months we hope to do more. We would like to put together care-packages. As a child I remember doing this. We have asked some of the troops what they need most. We have a running list, if you have any suggestions let us know what works for you.
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Permalink Reply by William Finnelli on
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Well usually just little things help out the most. Things like those little books like cross word, word seach and aothers along that line. Then things like munchies, or random pictures of the city or the people who send the care packages. An address so we could sned letters and hopefully some pictures back to those people.
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Permalink Reply by Piney Power on
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I have a problem with the color because red is the color of showing support for AIDs in Africa, which is retarded on its own, but that's a whole other story. I think we should just have shirt colors that match the wristbands. That would do more than doing a new color for our support.
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Permalink Reply by Bobby King on
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My Family knows all too well the cost of Freedom
Though We have not lost any of The Men that have been sent The Clan King is known for its fighting Sons
Myself I servied with the United States Dept of Defense and My Little Brother Joshua Lee is now serving His second Tour of Duty Iraq soon to return
We would like to send Our Best Irish Wishes to those that have came before Us and those that will come
May God Love and keep You in His Divine Mercy and Graces
And the Roads Rise to meet You and wind Be always at Your back
Spc Joshua Lee King
478th Combat Engineers
Falluja Iraq
Come Home safe Bub
Sgt Bobby J King
Madison County Div of Emergency Svcs
Firefighter Rescue Tech
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Permalink Reply by FireCat on
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William -
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for your safe return home to your family. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making for all of us!!
TCSS
Cat :o)
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Bobby -
Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family have and are still making for all of us! I will keep Joshua (Bud) in my thoughts and prayers for his safe return home!
Please be SAFE!
Cat :o)
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Thank you Bobby, Joshua and the entire King Clan for the commitment and sacrifice you make daily. God keep you and angels watch over you.
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We added a few shirts to the site. If you have any questions let us know. Please take a minute to view them and let us know what you think or would like to see. There is also a section for custom shirts so you may submit your own design. Feel free to contribute to the Forums, sign the guestbook and check out our Supporters. If you would like to advertise or show your support please let us know.
Thank you Piney for your suggestion. Two reasons we chose red is work together with our fellow Americans already wearing red but most of all because of the statement. They bleed red so we wear red.
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We have added a few items and changed a few things. We are working on more of a selection for you.
The option to make a contribution is now available. If you would like to make a contribution just click on "Our Supporters". If you have a company or would like a company to sponsor us by my making a contribution email us. If you are intersted in sponsoring this cause by advertising on our site please email us .
We are amazed at the support and genorosity of everyone. Thank you for all the comments,emails, and pm's.
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If anyone has any pictures with red shirts that we could use let me know.
We changed the custom order page, it is easier to understand and you have more options.
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Firetruckred -
Do you have the address for William Finnelli? I would like to send him a box with assorted goodies and other stuff. Thanks!
TCSS
Cat :o)
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Sorry but I do not. Have you sent him a message to let him know that you would like to send him a care package?
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