Friday, September 6, 2013

Red Shirt Friday




RedShirtFridays.org has a tag line that reads, "They Bleed Red So We Wear Red." Who is Red Shirt Fridays? It's an organization that exists solely to show support to our servicemen and servicewomen. They do this by wearing red every Friday. They do this so our servicemembers know we have not forgotten them.

This past week I attended two military memorial services. For me, it felt like losing one of my own. Two mothers lost a son. Two wives lost a husband. A child is now without a father and another child, soon to be born, will never meet his father.

I watched as my husband kneeled before the father of a fellow soldier and presented him with an American Flag in honor of his son's service.

I stood with other military mothers and presented a Gold Star Banner to a friend as she mourned the loss of her son.

I quietly listened as my son, who is a sailor, told me of his first time folding the American Flag for a servicemember recently killed in active duty. This is far from his first funeral. He has helped honor many as they are laid to rest.

But this is what we do. We honor them. We remember them. So today I will wear red. How about you?


I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: Red.

16 comments :

  1. That is such an inspiring organization. I am surprised to find that I have never heard of them before.

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  2. This is my first time hearing of this organization as well. What a great way to honor those who serve on country.

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  3. Beth,
    My husband is also military - coming to the end of a career with the Army. And with that - way too much to talk about in one little comment space. Thank you for sharing this way of supporting our service men and women. They are truly special.
    Janet

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    1. Thank you to your husband for his service and to you for the support you give him. They are special!! Nice to *meet* you. I will be sure to stop on over to visit you soon. Blessings to you.

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  4. I've never heard of this organization. Thank you for sharing1

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  5. This is just beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Such an amazing photo to go along, too!! ~ And I LOVE your new blog!!! It looks so great!!! :) Have a blessed day my dear friend!!

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    1. Thank you, Amanda! I appreciate your kind words. Wishing you a blessed day as well. {Hugs}

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  6. Thank for sharing about this organization, I love that they do this. I am truly grateful for the sacrifice our men and women have made for our country. BTW, I love your new blog look!

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    1. Thank you, Kimberly. I do the simple way it allows us to support our men and women service. I'm loving my new blog look too!! Blessings to you.

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  7. Oh, Beth. I have never heard of this organization so thanks for sharing it here, but more than that, thanks for pushing us to think about men and women in the service and all they do and sacrifice for us.

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    1. Thank you again Amy for sharing on Twitter! It's greatly appreciated. Getting the message out on ways to support our men and women serving is so important. I appreciate your support. {Hugs}

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  8. I had never heard of this organization either until yesterday. What a great way to honor our service members. I can't imagine how hard it is to attend each of these funerals and watch a friend bury their husband or son. I have so much respect for your family and all of our military.

    Love the new look of the blog!! It looks great! Have a blessed wknd.

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    1. Thank you, Alecia. There are so many wonderful ways to support our servicemembers and I appreciate the chance to share this one easy way here.
      Thank you again for alerting me to the problem with my blog yesterday.
      I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
      Blessings,
      Beth

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  9. Thanks for a reminder about something I often forget. Powerful.

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  10. Oh what glory...
    I'll wear red on Fridays and pray for your family when I do, Beth. Along with your extended soldier family that sacrifice so much for something we often take for granted...{HUGS}

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  11. Wish there was no need to wear the red. So very thankful for the ultimate sacrifices made by our service men and women. And for this organization that shows it support to those who truly deserve it.

    Christy @ A Heartening Life
    www.ahearteninglife.com

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