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 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  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  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, 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 a far, wi ll 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.