Thread: The Daughter of a Soldier

I received this in an email a short time ago and it really touched me. I would like to share it with all of you. I've never been one for forwarding too many of these things, but this touched me. I know it will touch you too.

The daughter of a Soldier

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 camo's. As
they 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, it
hit me. But not me 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," to the little girl.
Then she 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 asked her what she wanted him 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. As the young
soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was
standing no more than 6 feet away when this entire event unfolded.

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

Just keeping you "in the loop" so you'll know what's going on in case
this takes off.

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. We are
voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.
We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal
media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

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. Do this by sending a deafening message that
every red-blooded American supports our men and women afar by wearing
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. 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.

Ruthiela,

Awesome article!

That would have been so awesome to see.
Our troops have my 110% support. They are the real heroes of this country.

GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE MILITARY.

I will be wearing red every friday now, and I'm spreading the word!

I am going out today it being Friday and by myself a special red shirt that will from now on be MY FRIDAY SHIRT!
Ruthiela, thanks so much for that article it made my day.

They definitely have my support and I will be wearing Red EVERY Friday from now own. I have a family member who is on the front line in Iraq. He's due to come home in Sept. With Hezbolla just declaring open war on Israel, I just hope he makes it home. He's only 20.

ruthiela,

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful article. It left tears in my eyes.