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Being a business theatre producer has allowed Brian the opportunity to meet and work with some very fascinating people from a variety of backgrounds which, in turn, has helped shape his knowledge and his opinions. His blog will not always be political, it will be about a lifetime of subjects, and nothing is off limits. “Few people have original thoughts, we are shaped by the people we know and meet” he says.



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Red Shirt Fridays

I was sent this email and I thought it was an interesting concept.

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, 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, 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.

Check out their webste: http://www.redshirtfriday.org/

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, that way we can feel good about not doing anything substatial for veterans, like petitioning the government to deal with the homeless amongst veterans, PTSD, or do anything that would require some actual work.

Lip service towards our troops has to go. Tell people to take some real action.

November 18, 2009 at 5:00 AM 
Blogger Brian J Perks said...

Comeout, come out, whoever you are and quit being so negative. Our troops need to know the citizens support them even if the government doesn't.

I can't change government policy or how the VA treats them but I can sure as hell support them emotionally. They are the reason we can write these comments back and forth. They fight for our freedom. God Bless Them All.

November 18, 2009 at 6:27 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, you couldn't ask people to write their Congressmen or sign a petition. I'll bet you were at a teabagging protest on immigration but didn't think for a second to organize one on behalf of veterans affairs.

At least VoteVets organized a petition drive when Senator Coburn was working to deny veterans benefits. I haven't seen you post on that.

Emotional support-that and a dollar will get a veteran on a bus. I bet you think bin Laden will lose if we just think positive, too.

November 18, 2009 at 6:45 AM 
Blogger Brian J Perks said...

Normally I wouldn't waste my time answering to someone who doesn't have the courage to sign his/her name but I will make an exception for you.

I happen to be very active on behalf of our Vets. I have written my Senators and Congressmen several times asking for support for our troops. Our church holds a fund raiser for the VA Hospital in Detroit every year. We are currently collecting items to send to the Vets for Christmas. We keep them in our prayers all the time.

And yes, I have attended tea bag events because I care and I talk the talk and walk the walk. What do you do?

November 18, 2009 at 7:27 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, sure you've done all of that. That's why you just said that you're oh so powerless to do anything for the vets. Because you spend so much time helping them. Riiiiight.

When I see you walk the walk I'll buy what you're selling.

I've petitioned Congress, too. I've raised thousands of dollars on behalf of servicemembers deployed overseas.

When your teabagging buddies decide to protest on behalf of vets, or at least you call for something more than "emotional support"-which is nothing more than something to help your conscience as veterans sleep in the street-I'll be inclined to believe you.

And too bad if you don't like me posting anonymously. You can use that to hide from the issues being presented if you want to, but it only serves to prove my point.

You're being challenged to do more than just provide vets with "emotional support". Take it up or go home with your tail between your legs.

November 19, 2009 at 5:18 AM 
Blogger Bruce Fealk said...

Brian, the problem with Republicans and conservatives, since they are apparently two different parties now, is that they talk a good game, but never really do anything to support the troops.

Supporting the troops in Republican is sending more troops to be slaughtered in Iraq and Afghanistan, instead of taking care of their medical needs when they come home, instead of voting for a pay increase for our soldiers, so they don't have to get food stamps to survive, you know, concrete measures, instead of just putting out your flag on Veterans day and wearing lapel pins.

Maybe you should call Paul Reikhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and find out how much Republicans really " support the troops."

November 26, 2009 at 11:12 AM 
Blogger Brian J Perks said...

Bruce, you are such a predictable Democrat and I value your opinion and even agree with you sometimes but you can't always be so flippin righteous.

We all need to help our veterans and bring pressure on politicians to do the right thing. I try to do my part when I can but I know it is never enough for some people. We all need to do more.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day.

November 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM 

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