Today I received another "touching e-mail" thinly disguising a conservative message. Thankfully, I have Daily Kos resources to respond with factual -- and more practical -- information.
Today's e-mail was the story of a soldier escorting the body of another home from Iraq. The story was touching, and the photos were heartbreaking (not included in diary, but available here -- the top right and the sixth down on the left).
But, the author couldn't stop without pointing out the "silent majority" who support the troops but aren't getting media attention. The author's suggestion to show support for the troops -- wear red on Friday! (Interesting color choice, huh?)
Follow below for the e-mail and my response aided by Daily Kos diarists.
Here's the e-mail:
Subject: We have so much to be thankful for
Whether you agree with the 'war' or not, this is powerful and serves to remind us that freedom is not free. It never has been. It never will be. There is always a cost, and so many people have voluntarily paid that cost so that we and our children, parents and grandparents can be free!!
Be sure to scroll down to view photos. Powerful
A Simple Thank You
Last week, while traveling toChicago 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 inChicago 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 Womenfor 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 HeislerThe 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 atDenver 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
Todd HeislerThe 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
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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 loveof our 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 ofAmerica 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 theUnited 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 theUSA 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!!
With HUGE thanks to thereisnospoon (whose diary I read a few days ago and for which I went searching as soon as I read this e-mail) and to deselby (who wrote a follow-up diary which included information from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America - Troops' Charities Page), I sent the following response to the original e-mail:
It's a very touching story, and the photos are amazing and saddening.
I do, however, take issue with the final statement about the "silent majority" supporting the troops. I believe the writer who encouraged others to wear red to show support for the troops is sadly misinformed if he / she believes there are a large number of people who don't support the troops and the media is not reporting it.
Although I suspect a vast majority of the troops would prefer that we support them not by purchasing red shirts and wearing them on casual Friday, but instead by getting them out of the conflict in Iraq, providing them with the health care and benefits we promised when they enlisted, providing them with the additional health care they need after fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, not slandering them when they run for elected office, and not sending them back in to conflict for third and fourth rotations.
I'm all for shows of troop support. I'm all for voicing an opinion about the conflict in Iraq -- whether it agrees with mine or not. But, I truly hope the author is also suggesting -- and him- or herself doing -- things that truly support the troops.
You can find out how to support the troops from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America web site at http://iava.org/... They suggest almost 30 different resources to assist you with sending letters, gifts and packages to troops overseas; help troops get the supplies they need; help troops stay in touch with their families and friends; help support military families in need; and help Iraqi civilians.
I prefer to send links to Daily Kos diaries to provide information such as this, but I've found that too many conservatives immediately discount anything coming from Daily Kos. So, my apologies to thereisnospoon and deselby for not attributing them in my e-mail response.
I also edited my response several times to remove what conservatives may perceive as "liberal bias" statements in order to have a better chance that the recipients read through to the action item.
So, this is my gift to anyone else who receives the "red shirt" e-mail -- a handy reference (and hat tip to the original diarists) for replying with real support actions, for as long as this stays on the diary list... and folks can feel free to wear red shirts while doing so!