41.1 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeCommentaryRed Shirts, Red Ribbons... Empty Actions

Red Shirts, Red Ribbons… Empty Actions

Soldier's arriving homeLately, I have received several versions of an email. The email tells of a soldier that has fallen, and being brought back home. After an emotional story, the writer then asks you to show your support by wearing a red T-shirt this Friday. If you like poorly written prose, the latest email I received, is at the bottom of the article.

I truly do not wish to offend anyone that has sent me the emails. But I find these emails offensive. On some level, the emails represent people’s need to feel like they are doing something. But is it appropriate to show your support for fallen troops via the equivalent of ‘Hawaiian shirt fridays’ at work?

Instead of reading the email, forwarding it to dozen people, and then forgetting to wear red on Friday (its unlikely anyone would even know why I was wearing red)… I thought I would do something productive… put pen to paper.

red ribbonWearing red to show support for our warriors is an empty action. I expressed similar views in my article against the MADD red ribbon campaign. I have found that pointing out people’s empty actions is not popular, and often misunderstood. With the MADD article, people jumped to the conclusion I was pro-drunk driving, especially after a national site picked up my article. I thought it was quite clear that I was against drunk driving. I merely pointed out that tiny, well worn red ribbons tied to non-drinkers car antennas doesn’t stop people from drunk driving, and therefore, does nothing to save lives. Yes, it raises awareness of drunk driving – only if you know about the MADD red ribbon campaign – which is akin to preaching to the choir.

Red ShirtLikewise, wearing a red shirt on Fridays is an empty action. What if you received an email asking you to wear baby puke yellow shirt on odd numbered Tuesday’s in months ending in R to show support for our public school physical education teachers? Would you forward it? Would you mark your calendar and run to the store to find a baby puke yellow T-shirt? No. You would hit delete and move on. The latest email I received about the red shirt idea, said if I didn’t care about the soldiers, to just delete it. But if I truly cared I would forward it to everyone. The writer is trying to shame me into passing along their bad idea, and shaming seems to work because I keep getting the emails.

Soldiers are called to fight and possibly die to protect our freedoms; freedoms that we exercise through our democratic process. Instead of wearing red t-shirt to show support, maybe we should honor our soldiers sacrifice by encouraging others to participate in the democracy for which they are fighting and dying.

I’ll start. I just emailed my elected officials in D.C. asking them what they have done, and plan to do to help the 131,000 homeless and hungry veterans. I will post any responses from them. Sure, its just one email, what can it do…….not much. But it can do a helluva lot more than wearing a red shirt this Friday…that’s the point.

Here are some other ideas

  • Anonymously pay for a soldiers meal, or buy them a round of beer at a restaurant.
  • Send a seasonal care package to a soldier serving overseas.
  • Become a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child whose parents are away fighting
  • Simply walk up to them and personally thank them for their service and sacrifice

More information on homeless veterans

One of the emails

Complete with typos:

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man….

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 realiza tion 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 lik e 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 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? Americans who support our troops used to be called the “silent majority.” We are no longer20silent, 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 majori ty 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 a far, will wear something red.

By w ord 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

Blayne Clements
Blayne Clements
I am a 30 something graduate from Austin Peay State University, where I graduated in 1997 with two majors (Accounting and Finance). I am a very happily married man, with one beautiful daughter. I enjoy a professional life of public service and a personal life of travel, reading, music, and always trying to learn from others.
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles