The daughter of a Soldier



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 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 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, 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.