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 SergeantSteeley 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.

signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington , D.C.

Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years
International Picture of the Year.



First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines
climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his
casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver
International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so
powerful: "See the people in the windows They sat right there in the
plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through
their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,"
he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their
lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they
should."





Second Place



Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey
refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the
last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below
the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and
played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if
she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it
would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's
what he would have wanted."


PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING!

"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as
the will and moral courage of free men and women."
-- Ronald Reagan

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 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, 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.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.


IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.


IT IS YOUR CHOICE.


WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!

No way to say it better!!!HOORAH

Hoorah!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simplifi!!! HOORAH!