I received this email last week and I thought I'd share . The story is so hart warming and inspiring I had to do something. I created a design to further emphasize the need to support the men and women that give so much to keep us free. We take for granted the absolute privilege it is to live in this country when cowards blow them selves up and hide behind women and children to get their evil point across. I feel it a duty to do my part and this gesture is just merely a token but if it makes a difference in somebody somewhere I have accomplished my mission. Please read the story and do your part. At the end you will find a link to a free design. God bless each and every one of you. :O)
Marv Ruddell
Letter sent 8/25/06:
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 act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, 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 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 she asked
him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he
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 daughters 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 unfolded. As the soldiers
began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.
As I stood there applauding and looked around, their 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 Friday -
Just keeping you "in the loop" so you'll know what's going on in case this
takes off.
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. This will send a deafening message that every
red-blooded American who supports our men and women uniform 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. I know I will.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.
THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED - SO WEAR RED!
MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION,
UNDER GOD.
