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Stonebreaker
04-03-2008, 08:51 PM
(courtesy of Acamp)

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 ofpatriotism 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 11months 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 prayers.

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

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.

IF YOU COULD CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE.


God Bless our troops

xuab
04-03-2008, 09:06 PM
Your post just made me think of my cousin and I guess I had to share. He has been stationed in Iraq since January 2007 as part of the infantry in Baghdad. In that time, he was injured once when his Hummer drove over an IED. Fortunately, he escaped with cuts and a banged up knee. I got to see pictures of the aftermath and it is amazing he is alive. In the last 2 weeks, he has lost 6 friends.

The good news is that 2 days ago he turned in his weapons and is heading home. He will likely go back to Iraq in the summer of 2009, but we are grateful that he made it okay. I think he'll be in Kuwait very soon and then back to the states. It's been interesting to get his e-mail updates and learn how awful it really is. As a family, we've had to send care packages to him...including basic necesseties like toothpaste, razors and deodorant. It's amazing what is not provided to them.

Anyway, after reading this, I felt compelled to share. Needless to say, we are all happy he's on his way home. He's already asked us not to ask him about his experience. He said there are many things he doesn't want to re-live.

Pablo
04-03-2008, 09:09 PM
Great post, I hate the color red - but I will be wearing it tomorrow.

xavierdude
04-03-2008, 10:33 PM
Great post, I hate the color red - but I will be wearing it tomorrow.

me too....it helps that I'm going to the reds game...but back to topic. Great post. I get sick and tired of hearing about these liberals going out and protesting at soldiers' funerals. that is the lamest and most disrespectful thing an American could ever do. Love the story.

waggy
04-03-2008, 11:18 PM
My nephew is leaving for Kuwait/Iraq within the week.

Thanks for sharing the story.

Jumpy
04-04-2008, 07:37 AM
I've got my red on today. Hate the war, if you want, but don't hate the soldier. God bless our troops.

The Artist
04-04-2008, 07:47 AM
I've got my red on today. Hate the war, if you want, but don't hate the soldier. God bless our troops.

Word, I'm pretty far left, but the protesting at funerals is BS.

Don't hate the playa', hate the game.

Smails
04-04-2008, 08:02 AM
I swing to the right and I think those protesting soldier funerals are actually untra-conservatives who think the millitary's policy on gay troops is too liberal and will lead to their demise. Religous radicals led by Fred Phelps if I'm not mistaken....nut jobs

nuts4xu
04-04-2008, 08:58 AM
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000HGIH7A.01-ALVYE3T5WL0WT._SCLZZZZZZZ_V61203900_.jpg

NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE!
04-04-2008, 08:19 PM
I always buy beers for the troops I see in airports. They always appreciate it.

Last time I was in Atlanta and saw a 22 year old back on leave. He had three full rows of fruit salad and it was obvious he saw a lot of shit - and kicked some ass. The Delta Red Coat told the crowd to give him a hand. They did. The kid (man) was completely embarrassed and did not want anything to do with it.

Freaking amazing when you realize that the majority of our troops are the same age we were when we boozed it up at Dana's and they are regularly laying it all out on the line for US.

Just amazing. We owe them, big time.

Home of the brave indeed!