Red Shirts

I received this in my email today... I don't know how long this email has been going around, but it is the first I've seen of it... I think it is a wonderful idea and I plan on wearing red every Friday from now on...

Here is the email -

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

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 inIraq , 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 news 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 co mrade 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 overbe aring.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of American's 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.

Well - tonight was

the last night of VBS at my church... we held the community wide Vacation Bible School this year for the first time in around 20 years! I was the craft teacher - which fit me pretty well I think!! :) We had a really good time, but I'm very glad it is over... I'm pretty tired tonight! And tomorrow is the big demo derby here in town... *sigh* if it is not one thing it is another! LOL Next weekend starts the local fairs, which I have to work all of them... Oh well - OVERTIME!!! =D

tifn! =)

WOW! It's been a while since I was on here...

Well, we've been SUPER busy around here! D has started a bait business. Basically it gives him an excuse to go fishing all day! LOL But he is having fun and staying out of trouble, so that is the main thing... he is also making some money this week - his grandpa is fishing all week and is keeping D busy catching him some bait! :) He will be 13 in a few short weeks and that makes me so sad... he is now around 2 inches taller than me and that ALSO makes me sad! Why do they have to grow up SO FAST?!? I want to do something super fun for his first TEEN birthday, just not real sure yet what it will be... I'll come up with something though!

I am the craft teacher for VBS this week. We have 66 kids enrolled this year... I'm so tired after last night and it was only the FIRST night!! I may have to start sneaking in some naps at lunch to make it through the week! HA! Like that will happen! VBS is from 6 until 8:30 everynight this week... between that, homework, and all the new websites we are getting at work I'm just about overwhelmed! And things were going so nice and smooth for so long! I guess I should have known it wouldn't last... Hopefully next week will be somewhat back to normal... and then the local fairs start and I have to work each of them... but at least it is OVERTIME!! YAY! :D

Well, I think that is it for now... I have some new pix of the boys I need to get posted... I will try and do that one night this week...

ttyl!