Red Fridays

In the Spring of 2006, an unofficial crusade to demonstrate support for Canadian troops was developed by two wives, Lisa Miller and Karen Boire, of Canadian servicemen after they decided to adapt an American exhortation (2005) to reflect their support for the Canadian military. Red Fridays was born and the movement has been sweeping across our nation. The idea is to wear something red, every Friday, to raise awareness of supporting our Canadian troops.

Is this effective? Red is visible, symbolizes the blood shed for our freedom, and represents the colour on our flag. Need more to be convinced? Read on:

Last week, while traveling to Toronto on business, I noticed an army 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 Afganistan, 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 Toronto , 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 Canadians 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 Canadian who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Canada on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming Hockey 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.

http://www.redfridays.ca/mission.html

By the way, if someone could tell me where the above story originated (I was sent this via e-mail, but no source of the story was given), I would appreciate giving credit where it is due. The email story given in the website above is a different one, but a good reminder, nonetheless.

I don't know how I missed this, seeing as I like red and love being Canadian. I hope we can remember to wear red this Friday and all the Fridays that come after. I hope this turns out better than Earth Hour. Apparently, only 1% of BC remembered to turn off their lights. My sister and I played Cranium in the dark for one hour. How did you spend your Earth Hour?