Wear Red on Fridays, Support the Troops

Have you spotted a special red t-shirt around town?

The firefighters of the Mokena Fire Protection District (MFPD) recently designed Red T-shirts and received approval to participate in the “Sea of Red” every Friday to show support for our troops.

The shirts made their debut on Friday, July 4 during the annual Village parade. The MFPD encourages all residents to participate in the “Sea of Red” every Friday to show support for our troops.

What is Red Friday—Support Our Troops?

BREAK THE SILENCE
Red Friday is a movement that has been underway to show support for our troops who are overseas. The wars of present day do not seem to carry the same “across the board” open support that once existed. "All one has to do is look back at World War II when patriotism and support for the troops was a part of everyday life and center of conversation in every home. Young men lined up to sign up for military service, often lying about their age in order to serve," according to the Armed Forces History Museum website.

SEA OF RED
While times have changed, the support for our troops should never waiver. Attend a local college football game, and the stadium will be filled with the team colors. The same should hold true on any given Friday in the United States. Participation requires nothing more than saving a red shirt, sweater, jacket, etc. to be worn on Friday. However, red is a common color for clothing, so in order to make this a truly notable statement, an overwhelming majority would need to participate. Our country should look like a “Sea of Red” every Friday.

Granted, this is not the only way that one can show support for the troops. Along with yellow ribbons in the form of a car magnet to denote the safe return of our troops overseas, many programs are in place which allows people to donate books, supplies, send greeting cards and even write letters. All of these are excellent means to show our troops their actions touch us on a very deep and personal level.

"If you don’t think your one red item on Friday will make a difference, ask a soldier who has served, or is home on leave, what he feels would be the best gift any one person—(or ) the people of the United States—could give him? Certainly, support and prayers would be a common response, according to the website.