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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 FireCat on
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No, I haven't...I will do that thanks for the suggestion.
TCSS
Cat :o)
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Permalink Reply by Melissa L. on
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Anytime! :
Cat , If you are interested in supporting the troops, Check out this website www.uso.com
They have been helping the military since the 1940's. Great organization.
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Permalink Reply by anne potter on
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WELL TODAY WE ARE HAVING TO STAND ALONG OUR VILLAGE STREET FOR WE LOST ONE OF OUR OWN .. JUNE 8TH.. SGT JOSH TYLER.. MY STEP SON IS OVER AT ANDACONDA.... I THINK WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS A GREAT IDEA.... YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT..
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Sorry to hear about your loss. I hope the family knows how much America appreciated Sgt Tyler.
I hope your step son is doing ok. How long is he over there? Sounds like a tough stop to be in, close to Bagdad.
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I was at the YMCA today. Next to workout room was a billboard dedicted to the men and woman who serve our country. I was delighted to see many small business/non profit organization that have evolved to serve those in need overseas. Check out your local YMCA and see what they are doing locally to support our troops.
Over the last week we had many requests for different designs on the T-shirts and ideas for baskets. Since I live near a highly populated area that is mostly military, alot of the interaction with people is local. I thought it would be a great idea to make the shirts locally and offer them to the military families and FD's. My sister wanted to make a website to offer these T-shirts. This site is geared towards supporting our troops in various ways. I personally want to focus on making T-shirts for the area and the Fire Departments locally and across the nation.
I have good news to share.
Last weekend I visited with old friends. I have know them since before kindergarten. It was great spending time cathing up. Turns out one of my friends is married to a guy who has a print shop as a hobby. She also has a retired Uncle who a Bat Chf and a cousin who a local FF. We got together on Sunday and talked about the possiblities. I am now able to offer apparel in many colors and styles thru this local company. I decided to make a website for us locals and to be on more a personal level with Firefighter friends. The other site is active, a great place to post, make comments, and order T-shirts and give ideas about give baskets still. This site is just strickly apparel and it's focus is just on the shirts and other apparel requests. We ( my sister and I ) can get just about anything from our local distributor ( my friends). I like having this site myself be cause it will be easier and more personal for the locals and to the Firefighters to see someone on this site they know and trust. Check it out.
www.redfridayapparel.com
If you would like a shirt made with something like E93/L45 Bat 13 Supports Our Troops or anything Fire-related on non-fire-related (Morgan family supports our troops, Daytona Bikers supports our troops) printed on apparel let me know. The shirts are inexpensive and an affordable way to get the word out.
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Well the site is up and running with BUY NOW buttons, pictures and two other new pages. Check out the new prices and selections.
If you buy a shirt from the site let me know I will give you another one for half price.
I am looking for articles about the troops for the news sections. Found two awesome pics courtesy of Dwntn Truckie. Thanks Rich, I will post them soon.
I am going to design a few firefighter shirts soon, any ideas let me know.
If you want any kind of apparel we can get it from the clothing company my guy buys from for inexpensive prices.
www.redfridayapparel.com
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I just added a half dozen new T-shirts. All military branches. I am going to add more red shirts and firefighter shirts soon.
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Permalink Reply by lang on
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I'm active duty air force fire fighter currently stationed in Korea. I think its great what your doing but don't forget about the men and women serving overseas in other areas than the middle east. I'm currently stationed at the closest permanat base near an enemy nation. I like the red shirt idea the only problem with for me is if I wear a red shirt civilians will think I'm North Korean but oh well what are you gonna do. I also know that the Boston Fire Dept. wears red shirts every friday in support of our troops. Also everybody support the USO if you don't know what you can do to help go to the USO website and make a donation. They do wonders for the troops. In closing my hometown did a home town hero's thing and put up banners of local military I think the oldest I've seen was back to WW 1 or 2.
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Hi Lang. Thank you for your kind words but mostly thank you for serving our country! I am so grateful for you.
I agree with you. Everyone check out the USO site. I posted something on here a while back about the USO.
Just in case you didn't see- there are other shirts on the site that are not red. They say Support our Troops on them.
Take care Lang - God Bless you and Angels surround you.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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As a former soldier and current firefighter, I think that "Red Fridays" are a great idea. I will be wearing red (in some fashion or another) on Fridays from now until they all come home. Stay safe!
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Permalink Reply by HangingInThere on
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your support really means a lot to us in the military thank you :)
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