PDA

View Full Version : What is Red Friday?


karen
04-27-2007, 01:16 PM
This is from an email I received from my cousin:

RED FRIDAY.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last week, while traveling in Canada on business, I noticed a soldier traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two-and-two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the soldier, 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 Canada 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 Canadian Armed Forces 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 a Canadian.

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, Canadians 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 Canadians, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Canada 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 Canadian who supports our men and women afar, will wear something RED. It could be just a small RED ribbon.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Canada 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 Canada 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.

notfarnow
04-27-2007, 02:07 PM
Wow, we have soldiers in Iraq?

Since when?

Answer, we don't, which makes this BS.

This is an internet schlock story that's been updated & "canadianized". Do a google search on 'Seargent Steeley":

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22Sergeant+Steeley+%22&meta=

Mandi
04-27-2007, 02:55 PM
I don't care if it's a bunk story or not. I don't support the war in Afganastan, but I sure as heck support our troops and the sacrifices they make.
If all they ask in return is that we wear red on fridays, it's a small price to pay. (plus it means I get to go shopping, because I don't own much red.) I saw a ceremony for fallen soldiers a while back, and most of the people there were wearing red. I think it's a nice idea and the sentiment is real.

tred816
04-27-2007, 02:58 PM
That may very well be, but the result is still the same. Honor the soldiers who put their lives on hold to better our lives and enable our freedom.

notfarnow
04-27-2007, 03:01 PM
I'm cool with red fridays


All I'm saying is that sending schlock BS emails does not support the troops.

eagallant
04-27-2007, 04:40 PM
When there were 100's and 1000's dying daily during WWI & WWII, I wonder what the veterans think about this war?

jdcb
04-27-2007, 05:51 PM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/jdcb/canadadude.gif

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 05:58 PM
I don't care if it's a bunk story or not. I don't support the war in Afganastan, but I sure as heck support our troops and the sacrifices they make.
If all they ask in return is that we wear red on fridays, it's a small price to pay. (plus it means I get to go shopping, because I don't own much red.) I saw a ceremony for fallen soldiers a while back, and most of the people there were wearing red. I think it's a nice idea and the sentiment is real.


Just a question, how can you not support the war in Afghanistan, but support the soldiers who are carrying on the war?

jdcb
04-27-2007, 06:02 PM
Just a question, how can you not support the war in Afghanistan, but support the soldiers who are carrying on the war?

Simple. Decide that you believe the purpose of the mission and the reasons they are there aren't worth it, however feel proud that we have citizens in this country over there willing to get shot at for what some of us make a burger king to protect freedom and others...

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:08 PM
The war that they are fighting is for the peace and freedom of Afghanistan, isn't it? Than why wouldn't you support the war?

Mandi
04-27-2007, 06:08 PM
Just a question, how can you not support the war in Afghanistan, but support the soldiers who are carrying on the war?

The soldiers who fight in the war didn't necessarily think that the war was for good reasons. I don't think there is a reason to be at war, but they are over there doing what they were told / signed up to do.

Mandi
04-27-2007, 06:10 PM
The war that they are fighting is for the peace and freedom of Afghanistan, isn't it? Than why wouldn't you support the war?
peace and freedom. I would like to find somewhere where George Bush actually clearly stated what his reasons for going into war where it was not needed were. First it was a war on terror, joke in itself that. And now its freedom?

jdcb
04-27-2007, 06:15 PM
The war that they are fighting is for the peace and freedom of Afghanistan, isn't it? Than why wouldn't you support the war?

because of the way we entered into it...

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:15 PM
Because if I am not mistaken the reasons behind it were that Afghanistan was being taken over and ruled by a military regime and the people of Afghanistan were being severely oppressed. I could be wrong, but that's the impression that I get they were putting on the front page. Personally, I think it all has to do with money, and Bush is using everyone to achieve his purpose.

jdcb
04-27-2007, 06:16 PM
peace and freedom. I would like to find somewhere where George Bush actually clearly stated what his reasons for going into war where it was not needed were. First it was a war on terror, joke in itself that. And now its freedom?

He did, he stated it loud and clear. WMD in Iraq...

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:20 PM
He did, he stated it loud and clear. WMD in Iraq...


Doesn't the US have WMD's? Why is it that the US can bully another country and tell them they can't equip themselves with the means to protect themselves?

Mandi
04-27-2007, 06:25 PM
He did, he stated it loud and clear. WMD in Iraq...

WMD? :o

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:30 PM
Weapons of Mass Destruction

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:41 PM
because of the way we entered into it...

How did we enter into it?

jdcb
04-27-2007, 06:45 PM
Doesn't the US have WMD's? Why is it that the US can bully another country and tell them they can't equip themselves with the means to protect themselves?

cuz then they wouldn't be able to bully anymore...

Notice that they were saying both North Korea and Iran were developing them. Iran has oil and NK doesn't, Iran got threatened with invasion while NK got more food...

rhiley_08j
04-27-2007, 06:48 PM
Oh yeah, but it's a coincidence, don't ya know? What happen's if we end up sitting on the only oil reserves left? I think we better get something to defend off the big bad wolf, oh wait better not, we might get accused of being a terrorist threat.

jdcb
04-27-2007, 06:49 PM
How did we enter into it?

I could post it, but then I would have to moderate it...

so I'll say it seemed basically as america's pawns...
when it all went down not long after 9/11 France expressed hesitations with invading anyone, Bush said "we should re-evaluate our friendship with France" and france fell in line. For America to attack someone, they need congressional approval to declare war. Bush has a war on "terror." All he has to do is say they are a threat and harboring terrorist (weather true or not [iraq/wmd's]) and he can attack them.

Note, all this was done against the UN's approval... Any other country goes against UN and they would have sanctions all up and down them...

dollydoo
04-28-2007, 11:52 AM
I think that first of all we need to sit back and think about this thread.



Last week, while traveling in Canada on business, I noticed a soldier traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two-and-two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the soldier, 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.




Some of this is true. Look at David Greenslade for instance. A wonderful person. Young and full of life was killed. It was a request from his mother as well that people wear red on fridays to honour the soldiers. So it's not so much that the story is BS as it is true. It may have happened in another way perhaps but it still happens. Think about the family for a minute. David was an only child. However he loved what he did. There was another solider at the funeral that my friend and i were speaking to. My friend asked " Are you scared to go back again after this terrible event?" HE replied with " No " He also stated that he loved doing what he did. To see the faces of those children. To know that they feel safe when our soliders are there. We have lost many GOOD MEN and WOMEN in this war however they will never be forgotten they will be remembered as the unbeliveable men and women they were. How they are doing this for their children and ours. So our children will not experience the terror that we have in the past few years. I thank each and every man and woman over there and my heart goes out to them everyday. I hope they all return home safe with the satifaction that they made a difference. Thats it for me sorry if it dont make sence but i get typing and jump all over the place so sorry for not making my grammar and stuff good.

AaRdVark
04-28-2007, 12:22 PM
First i must say no matter how or why we are at war-I SUPPORT UR TROOPS- those women and men are NOT pawns and our decision to enter this conflict was not because we are pawns-we were not pawns for England and we not pawns for the USA. We should be more concerned as to equipping our troops for such action.

vanessalynn5484
04-28-2007, 12:28 PM
How you can you not support the troops. I do not agree with war, but this is beyond that. They are men and women who left their families. If it wasn't someone else's husband/mother/sister/brother it could be yours'. I think of it that way. They are making a sacrifice and we should honor that.

Mandi
04-28-2007, 12:36 PM
First i must say no matter how or why we are at war-I SUPPORT UR TROOPS- those women and men are NOT pawns and our decision to enter this conflict was not because we are pawns-we were not pawns for England and we not pawns for the USA. We should be more concerned as to equipping our troops for such action. Moderator u should be slappped for even suggesting it.

Not pawns? If the US can completely ignore the UN That has to say something about their power. Way I see it is if you're not with them, they're against you. The united states government are spoiled brats who need everything done their way.

care1978
04-28-2007, 01:19 PM
Doesn't the US have WMD's? Why is it that the US can bully another country and tell them they can't equip themselves with the means to protect themselves?
oh you didn't know?.....
that according to the US... they are the only country in the world! and nobody else matters.... even though their leader is an obvious uneducated trigger happy dufus!
just my oppinion.

care1978
04-28-2007, 01:23 PM
what i dont understand is why we arent a leading nation... arent we the oldest Country? well at least we were here before the US.... so what makes them so special? it should be them backing us... not the other way around. but i could be wrong.
i just dont like Bush lol

amethyst
04-28-2007, 07:49 PM
As a military wife i have to say i sure as hell don't support the war...but i WILL support MY soldier and all the other soldiers out there by giving them the support that they need. Do you people realize how much it means to them to see us wear red on Fridays? To have a complete stranger come up to them and shake their hand and say thank you???? THAT is the support they want. It makes it all worthwhile to them knowing that their fellow Canadians are behind them. All those Magnets I sell...i make NADA on them. I don't even get gas money for them, or shipping if i bring them in. Hubby was AMAZED at how many people want them. Young ones, old ones, in between ones. It makes him feel good knowing he, and all the others have our support.

Mandi
04-28-2007, 09:29 PM
As a military wife i have to say i sure as hell don't support the war...but i WILL support MY soldier and all the other soldiers out there by giving them the support that they need. Do you people realize how much it means to them to see us wear red on Fridays? To have a complete stranger come up to them and shake their hand and say thank you???? THAT is the support they want. It makes it all worthwhile to them knowing that their fellow Canadians are behind them. All those Magnets I sell...i make NADA on them. I don't even get gas money for them, or shipping if i bring them in. Hubby was AMAZED at how many people want them. Young ones, old ones, in between ones. It makes him feel good knowing he, and all the others have our support.
Thank you Amethyst. I don't think people realize how strong military families have to be either, thank you for being strong and for your husband. Families like yours deserve recognition.

amethyst
04-28-2007, 09:41 PM
Hubby just told me a saying that he saw on a bumper sticker on the base in borden...

"if you can't stand behind our troops..your welcome to stand in front of them"

:rofl:
now that's a bumper sticker i WOULD be willing to put on my car LOL

amethyst
04-28-2007, 09:44 PM
:o
My hubby is still with me for now..i feel for the wives that don't have their hubbies right now. I know of one right here on this site...you know who you are.

Hugs

Thank you Amethyst. I don't think people realize how strong military families have to be either, thank you for being strong and for your husband. Families like yours deserve recognition.

eagallant
04-29-2007, 12:10 PM
what i dont understand is why we arent a leading nation... arent we the oldest Country? well at least we were here before the US.... so what makes them so special? it should be them backing us... not the other way around. but i could be wrong.
i just dont like Bush lol

We're 1/2 the age of the States.