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.
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.
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.
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.
