Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how, or it felt awkward?
Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out.
Please, everybody, take just a moment to watch...The Gratitude Campaign...and then forward it to your friends!
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php
[signature]
Good idea Craig, thanks for sharing.
[signature]
Great idea Craig.
[signature]
Super idea!! Thanks for sharing. You can bet I'm gonna share this with everyone I can think of.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]Excellent. I will share this that I got in an email today.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
Will you give this to my Daddy?
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.
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.
[signature]