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 acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As t......hey 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 kneeled down and said 'hi...'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her...

The young soldier, who 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 from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there 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.

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, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED.
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.

Absolutely!! I had seen a lot of that in my travels to military bases
bringing young soldiers back from deployement as well as having to take them on deployment. I had a young girl come up to a soldier on my vehicle and give him a hug. I always tear up when I have to take these men and women off to be deployed to war. A very heart rending and touching sight for me. I support them not because I was one myself, but because they deserve our support. I came from my tours of duty and was spit at and stuff like that!!! This is a totally different era. Give them all of your support!!!

That was awesome! I would of loved to of been there!
When my son come to see me at work before he left,This little girl about3 or4 came up to him.And saluted him !And thanked him for serving!
Was the best thing I ever saw.She had her daddy in the service too.
I told my son.If you ever wonder why your there? Look back,And think of her!
I will be wearing RED on Fridays!

Ok...that made me cry like "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

I just buy soldiers pitchers when I can...

That's really sweet! My brother-in-law served in Isreal. We're not as invested overseas here in Canada as our American friends are, but we miss our family the same when they're gone. Our thoughts are with those who are serving and we wish them all a safe return! Good luck with Red Friday!

Anything like this makes me cry. My daughter is pregnant andher man is in the australian Army and as much as I dont want that to be my granchild, having their daddy overseas, I am so proud of him for what he does,

That is very sweet. I have a hard time liking Marines in general, but that was a nice story. . . I can imagine all the tears that day. How special for that lil girl to have that moment.

Sorry about that. I was and still am a Marine. People ask me all types of stuff and when we go places, I always feel at ease around these youn men and women because they know I am one of them and they also know I will support them.

I would say it never would leave you, once you've been apart of it its with you for life for good or bad...Thats one of the things i respect so much about it "never forget, never forgotten" is more than a term..its a truth, and thats the way it should be. IMO

dont take this the wrong way, i know a lot of really greta service men, but the seems like many marines tend to be the more violent of the service men out there. Very violent and agressive. I know it is not all of you, but too many have crossed my path to not have that uncomfortable feeling around them. I do respect anyone who has the guts to go out there and protect not only our country but the innocent lives of those people in the other countries as well who merely a victim of circumstance. thank you.

One of my best friends in the world is a Marine and trained to be a field sniper. He was on the front lines fighting for his life for over a year. I got to see him after he had come back the first time and I have to say he is so kind and has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He is gentle, he is kind, he is amazing. But I do know he was a changed person after being there and seeing all the violence, destruction and death. I also know that if and when he is called again, he'll go in a heartbeat. God bless our troops!