I know this is long...but it is worth it...it will make you smile and cry

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. WhileI was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behindme beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around andwitnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. Asthey began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) wasabruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applaudedand cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the onlyred-blooded American who still loves this country and supports ourtroops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these youngunsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for usso 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 ofour service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 yearsold, 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 herdaddy 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 himthe 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 andhad been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining howmuch her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier beganto tear up.
When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation,all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one ofthe other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie.They started playing with the device and talking back and forth onit.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked backover to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to yourdaddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this littlegirl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Hefinished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves youmore than anything and he is coming home very soon.'The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as theyoung soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. Iwas standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event
As the soldiers began to leave, heading towa rds their gate, peopleresumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and lookedaround, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That youngsoldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew akiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their familiesand 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 peoplewearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support ourtroops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longersilent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in recordbreaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberalmedia coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.. ManyAmericans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognizethat the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops withdignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and everyFriday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening messagethat.. Every red-blooded America n who supports our men and womenafar will wear some thing red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States onevery Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in thebleachers If every one of us who loves this country will share this withacquaintances, co-worker s, friends, and family. It will not be longbefore the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know theonce 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever; certainlymore than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to makethings 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. > > I F YOU COULD CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOURCHOICE. > > WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.> THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED!