Corner Post Editorial—
Blue Fridays offer a way to show support for the troops
by Beverley Kreul, posted May 12, 2009
I have often seen the support that Americans have shown our soldiers in Iraq. Little kids write thank you cards in their kindergarten class, veterans are given a standing ovation when announced at sports games, and I have seen countless cars with bumper stickers declaring their pride for our armed forces. But as the war reaches its seventh year, it seems that support is dwindling even though we still have soldiers away from home.
President Barack Obama says the U.S. will withdraw most of the troops from Iraq in the next 18 months. Around one-third of the troops will stay through 2011 to provide security and training. The president announced his plan on Feb. 27 at Camp Lejune, a military base in North Carolina.
Thousands of Marines there have been sent to Iraq and thousands more are getting ready to be deployed to Afghanistan. President Obama plans to pull out roughly two-thirds of the 142,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. Also included in his plan, is the hope to work with all the nations in the Middle East, including Iran and Syria. But this plan will still take 18 months.
Until then, we need to make sure the soldiers know we support them, and work to give them the homecoming they deserve. There is a new program that I feel every person should participate in so they can show their pride in our armed forces.
I received an e-mail about a month ago telling me about the program called “Blue Friday.” According to the Blue Friday Web "lens" on squido.com, this grassroots effort encourages us to show solidarity and support for our troops by wearing something blue every Friday.
So this Friday, when you wake up and get ready to go to class or work, look into your closet and think about the people thousands of miles away fighting for our freedom. Just a small gesture like wearing something blue can show your appreciation for these heroes. Wear blue with pride and when someone asks, tell him or her about the cause and prove that you are proud to be an American!
