Red Friday

[RRDTm3]

Can You Give This to my Daddy?


As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays." 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 thru 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 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 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
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 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 prayer


Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example;
and wear something red every Friday.

[RANGER513]

OUTSTANDING story ! Wish I could have been there to stand with you, and clap.

Red Friday it is, Brother.

[Lost_Jock]

Nice story, but......

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/daughter.asp

[Silverback]

The applause at Atlanta Airport is real. The people sitting around the Atrium ALWAYS applaud as a group of Soldiers passes. I was in one of those groups and it made getting back on the plane a little easier.

[42L5V]

I thought the applause at ATL was phony, canned and drummed up by the USO. I could have gotten where I was going twice as quick without it. The average American walking through the airport doesn't have a clue, nor do I want them to stand around and clap just because I'm walking through in DCUs (ACUs now) with some old broad from the USO waving a flag.

Having said that - there were some damn fine old Vets working at the USO in Atlanta, they were on top of their game.

[KW Driver]

and the Dover AFB USO in the pax terminal was squared away too. Lisa mothered us all for the 3 days we were stuck there, especially the first night we slept on the terminal floor.

[hit_it]

there were some damn fine old Vets working at the USO in Atlanta, they were on top of their game.

I agree completely. When I was coming back through we had and entire cheerleading squad (hot college chicks) coming through the line giving hugs and kisses on the cheek.

You know I was trying to catch an upskirt look.....