OGP's Content - Page 42 - Dumont Dune Riders

Will you give this to my Daddy? >> >> As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays." >> 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 through 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 knelt down and said "hi," to >> 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 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 as 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 a >> round, 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 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 s tarts 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. >>